# Electrically Tunable Superconductivity Through Surface Orbital Polarization

## TL;DR

This paper explores how electric fields can control superconductivity in thin films by manipulating surface orbital polarization, leading to potential applications in superconducting orbitronics.

## Contribution

It introduces a mechanism where surface orbital polarization, modulated by electric fields, can switch superconductivity on and off or induce phase transitions.

## Key findings

- Electric fields modify surface potential and orbital-Rashba couplings.
- Superconductivity can be suppressed or undergo a 0-π transition.
- Surface orbital polarization significantly impacts superconducting properties.

## Abstract

We investigate the physical mechanisms for achieving an electrical control of conventional spin-singlet superconductivity in thin films by focusing on the role of surface orbital polarization. Assuming a multi-orbital description of the metallic state, due to screening effects the electric field acts by modifying the strength of the surface potential and, in turn, yields non-trivial orbital-Rashba couplings. The resulting orbital polarization at the surface and in its close proximity is shown to have a dramatic impact on superconductivity. We demonstrate that, by varying the strength of the electric field, the superconducting phase can be either suppressed, i.e. turned into normal metal, or undergo a $0-\pi$ transition with the $\pi$ phase being marked by non-trivial sign change of the superconducting order parameter between different bands. These findings unveil a rich scenario to design heterostructures with superconducting orbitronics effects.