Abstract

A superconductor subject to electromagnetic irradiation in the terahertz range can show amplitude oscillations of its order parameter. However, coupling this so-called Higgs mode to the charge current is notoriously difficult. We propose to achieve such a coupling in a particle-hole-asymmetric configuration using a DC-voltage-biased normal-metal--superconductor tunnel junction. Using the quasiclassical Green's function formalism, we demonstrate three characteristic signatures of the Higgs mode: (i) The AC charge current exhibits a pronounced resonant behavior and is maximal when the radiation frequency coincides with the order parameter. (ii) The AC charge current amplitude exhibits a characteristic nonmonotonic behavior with increasing voltage bias. (iii) At resonance for large voltage bias, the AC current vanishes inversely proportional to the bias. These signatures provide an electric detection scheme for the Higgs mode.

Highlights

  • Manipulating the superconducting (SC) state using tailored light pulses is currently receiving a great deal of attention

  • Using the quasiclassical Green’s function formalism, we demonstrate three characteristic signatures of the Higgs mode: (i) The AC charge current exhibits a pronounced resonant behavior and is maximal when the radiation frequency coincides with the order parameter. (ii) The AC charge current amplitude exhibits a characteristic nonmonotonic behavior with increasing voltage bias. (iii) At resonance for large voltage bias, the AC current vanishes inversely proportional to the bias

  • We demonstrate that the Higgs mode will manifest itself in intriguing properties of the AC charge current through the junction [see Fig. 1(c)]

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Summary

Rapid Communications

Signatures of the Higgs mode in transport through a normal-metal–superconductor junction. A superconductor subject to electromagnetic irradiation in the terahertz range can show amplitude oscillations of its order parameter. Coupling this so-called Higgs mode to the charge current is notoriously difficult. (iii) At resonance for large voltage bias, the AC current vanishes inversely proportional to the bias. Using the quasiclassical Green’s function formalism, we demonstrate three characteristic signatures of the Higgs mode: (i) The AC charge current exhibits a pronounced resonant behavior and is maximal when the radiation frequency coincides with the order parameter. These signatures provide an electric detection scheme for the Higgs mode

Introduction
Published by the American Physical Society
Discussion
Conclusion

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