Superconducting Heterostructures Interlayered with a Material with Strong Spin–Orbit Interaction

Abstract

Abstract—Superconducting heterostructures interlayered with a material with strong spin–orbit interaction are studied. As materials with strong spin–orbit interaction, we choose strontium iridates featuring the Ruddlesden–Popper structure (Sr_n + 1Ir_nO_3n + 1; n = 1, 2, ∞): paramagnetic metal SrIrO₃ and magnetic insulator Sr₂IrO₄. Using laser ablation, epitaxial films of these materials are obtained, as well as heterostructures based on epitaxial films of cuprate superconducting YBa₂Cu₃O_x. For electrical measurements, mesa-structures of micrometer sizes with top electrodes made of Au/Nb bilayer are fabricated.