Spin-Polarized Josephson Supercurrent in Nodeless Altermagnets

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Authors: Chuang Li, Jincai Hou, Fu‐Chun Zhang, Songbo Zhang, Lun‐Hui Hu
Cited by: 5
References: 77

Abstract

Long-range propagation of equal-spin triplet Cooper pairs typically occurs in ferromagnet-s-wave superconductor junctions, where net magnetization plays a crucial role. Here, we propose a fundamentally different scenario in which Josephson supercurrents mediated exclusively by spin-triplet pairings emerge in systems with zero net magnetization. We identify collinear altermagnets, particularly a subclass termed nodeless altermagnets, as ideal platforms to realize this phenomenon. These materials host spin-split Fermi surfaces that do not intersect altermagnetic nodal lines and support maximal spin-valley polarization, yielding fully spin-polarized electronic states at each valley. Consequently, Josephson junctions based on nodeless altermagnets sustain supercurrents solely through spin-polarized triplet pairing correlations, simultaneously contributed by spin-up Cooper pairs from one valley and spin-down Cooper pairs from the other. Furthermore, controlling the relative local inversion-symmetry breaking at the two interfaces enables a robust 0-π transition without fine tuning, while adjusting the junction orientation allows a crossover between pure triplet and mixed singlet-triplet states. Our Letter thus establishes nodeless altermagnets as a unique platform for altermagnetic superconductors with magnetization-free spin-polarized supercurrents.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Iron-based superconductors research Advanced Condensed Matter Physics Physics of Superconductivity and Magnetism

Publication details

Journal / source
Physical Review Letters
Publisher
American Physical Society (APS)
Volume
136
Issue
11
Pages
116701–116701
Publication date
19 February 2026
Language
EN