Supercurrents through half-metallic ferromagnetic CrO$_2$ revisited

TL;DR

This study demonstrates a long-range supercurrent through half-metallic ferromagnetic CrO$_2$, indicating the presence of odd-frequency pairing correlations, with critical current behavior influenced by temperature and magnetic field.

Contribution

We observed a supercurrent over 700 nm in CrO$_2$, providing evidence for long-range proximity effect via odd-frequency pairing in a half-metallic ferromagnet.

Findings

Supercurrent flows over 700 nm in CrO$_2$

Critical current increases as temperature decreases

Maximum critical current at 80 mT magnetic field

Abstract

We report on the observation of a supercurrent through the half metallic ferromagnet CrO$_2$ grown on hexagonal Al$_2$O$_3$ (sapphire). The current was observed to flow over a distance of 700 nm between two superconducting amorphous Mo$_{70}$Ge$_{30}$ electrodes which were deposited on the CrO$_2$ film. The critical current $I_c$ increases as function of decreasing temperature. Upon applying an in-plane magnetic field, $I_c$ goes through a maximum at the rather high field of 80 mT. We believe this to be a long range proximity effect in the ferromagnet, carried by odd-frequency pairing correlations.