Josephson current in s -wave superconductor/ ferromagnet/ p -wave superconductor junctions: the lowest unusual harmonic contribution

Abstract

We study the Josephson effect in s-wave superconductor/ferromagnet/p-wave superconductor junctions using the Matsubara Green function method. Three p-wave pairing states with different orbital parts are considered. We focus on the lowest unusual harmonic contribution (∝cosφ) to Josephson current, where φ is a phase difference across the junction. We evaluate the dependence of this unusual term on the strength of magnetization and the width of the central ferromagnet layer. It is confirmed that the 0-π transition also occurs in s-wave superconductor/ferromagnet/p-wave junctions. A possible spintronic application of the present Josephson junction has been discussed.