Rectification Effect of Non-Centrosymmetric Nb/V/Ta Superconductor

Abstract

  The superconducting diode effect in which electrical resistance is zero in only one direction has recently been reported in superconductors without inversion symmetry. Previous studies investigated the nonreciprocity of the critical current, but little has been known about the rectification effect when AC currents are applied. Herein, we examined the rectification characteristics of a non-centrosymmetric Nb/V/Ta artificial superlattice under AC currents. The rectification strength can be modulated by an applied magnetic field, and its polarity can be tuned by the magnetic field. Furthermore, we find that the magnetic field dependence of the rectification is different from that of the nonreciprocal critical current.