Spin-Orbit Splitting of Andreev States Revealed by Microwave Spectroscopy

  • L. Tosi ,
  • C. Metzger ,
  • M. F. Goffman ,
  • C. Urbina ,
  • H. Pothier ,
  • Sunghun Park ,
  • A. Levy Yeyati ,
  • J. Nygård ,
  • Peter Krogstrup

Physical Review X | , Vol 9(1)

We have performed microwave spectroscopy of Andreev states in superconducting weak links tailored in an InAs-Al (core-full shell) epitaxially-grown nanowire. The spectra present distinctive features, with bundles of four lines crossing when the superconducting phase difference across the weak link is 0 or $\pi.$ We interpret these as arising from zero-field spin-split Andreev states. A simple analytical model, which takes into account the Rashba spin-orbit interaction in a nanowire containing several transverse subbands, explains these features and their evolution with magnetic field. Our results show that the spin degree of freedom is addressable in Josephson junctions, and constitute a first step towards its manipulation.