Magnetic Field Effect in Josephson tunneling between d-Wave Superconductors

Abstract

The magnetic field effect in the Josephson tunneling between two d-wave superconductors are investigated. When the crystal orientation of one (or each) superconductor relative to the interface normal is such that midgap states exist at the interface, there is a component of the tunneling current due to the midgap states. For a junction with a flat {001}|{110} or {100}|{110} interface, this component is the predominant contribution to the current. The predicted current-field dependence differs entirely from the conventional Fraunhofer pattern, in agreement with a published measurement. This is because, apart from the Fraunhofer factor, the critical current depends on the magnetic field B through the current density also which is a linear function of B for weak B.