Time-reversal symmetry breaking superconductivity between twisted cuprate superconductors

Twisted interfaces between stacked van der Waals (vdW) cuprate crystals present a platform for engineering superconducting order parameters by adjusting stacking angles. Using a cryogenic assembly technique, we construct twisted vdW Josephson junctions (JJs) at atomically sharp interfaces between Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x crystals, with quality approaching the limit set by intrinsic JJs. Near 45° twist angle, we observe fractional Shapiro steps and Fraunhofer patterns, consistent with the existence of two degenerate Josephson ground states related by time-reversal symmetry (TRS). By programming the JJ current bias sequence, we controllably break TRS to place the JJ into either of the two ground states, realizing reversible Josephson diodes without external magnetic fields. Our results open a path to engineering topological devices at higher temperatures. Editor’s summary Twisted two-dimensional (2D) structures exhibit a wealth of interesting behaviors. Recently, the 2D materials used in such superlattices have largely been graphene and various transition metal dichalcogenides. However, cuprate superconductors can also be thought of as 2D materials, with the copper-oxide planes coupled to each other through Josephson coupling. Zhao et al. created high-quality twisted structures of a bismuth-based cuprate by cleaving a single exfoliated crystal and placing the two halves on top of each other at various angles. Near the twist angle of 45°, Josephson coupling was suppressed by the d-wave superconducting order parameter of the material. The researchers also observed a Josephson diode effect caused by the breaking of time reversal symmetry. —Jelena Stajic Transport measurements were used to characterize twisted cuprate Josephson junctions at various twist angles.