- Letter
Transverse superconducting diode without violation of parity- or time-reversal symmetry
Phys. Rev. Applied 26, L011002 – Published 13 July, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/thp3-b1tz
Abstract
The superconducting diode effect (SDE) is characterized by its nonreciprocal nature in critical supercurrents. However, realizing a longitudinal SDE typically requires simultaneous time-reversal () and inversion () symmetry breaking in the device, raising challenges in applications. In this Letter, we reveal that an off-axis direct-current bias applied to a planar anisotropic superconductor can convert intrinsic anisotropy into transverse nonreciprocity, generating ultra-tunable SDE without breaking either or symmetry. Using both Ginzburg-Landau theory and self-consistent mean-field calculations, we show that diode efficiency can be continuously tuned via bias current amplitude. Notably, when the injected bias current exceeds a critical threshold, the system is driven into a “unidirectional superconductivity” regime, where transverse dissipationless currents are permitted in only one direction. Based on this mechanism, we propose the “current-gated orthogonal superconducting transistor (CGOST)” and demonstrate its utility in tunable supercurrent range controllers and half-wave rectifiers. Our findings open new avenues for nonreciprocal superconducting electronics.