Spin-polarized supercurrent in proximitized singlet superconductor ‒ half-metallic manganite nanostructures

Анотація

A common path to superconducting spintronics, superconducting magnonics, and topologically protected quantum computing relies on spin-triplet superconductivity. However, superconductors realizing spin-triplet p-wave pairing are not common in nature. While naturally occurring spin-triplet superconducting pairing is very exclusive, proximity effects in ferromagnet /superconductor heterostructures can overcome this limitation. That is why artificial nanostructures demonstrating equal-spin triplet superconductivity have attracted special interest as new functional materials. In this chapter, we present the results of experimental and theoretical investigations of proximitized nanocomposites based on half-metallic manganites – singlet s-wave or d-wave superconductors. The experimental data obtained, and theoretical reasoning give conclusive evidence that proximity induced long-range superconducting state in such hybrid structures can be qualitatively and quantitatively understood within the scenario of proximity induced p-wave spin-triplet superconductivity. It means that the superconductor–half-metallic manganites nanostructures are promising functional materials for superconducting spintronics, superconducting magnonics, and topologically protected quantum computing.