Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation
  • Letter

Tuning magnetic coupling via exchange mediator switching

Zi-Wen Li1, Wanghuai Zhou1, Tan Peng1, Bohuai Xiao1, Ziyu Wang2,*, and Yong-Chen Xiong1,†

  • 1Shiyan Key Laboratory of Quantum Information and Precision Optics, School of Optoelectronic Engineering, Hubei University of Automotive Technology, Shiyan 442002, People's Republic of China
  • 2Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-Structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China

  • *Contact author: zywang@whu.edu.cn
  • †Contact author: xiongyc_lx@huat.edu.cn

Phys. Rev. B 114, L080506 – Published 14 August, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/lzdn-nr4j

Abstract

Controlling magnetic coupling at superconductor-magnet interfaces is a fundamental challenge. Using numerical renormalization group calculations on a strongly correlated molecular dimer coupled to two superconducting electrodes, we report a two-stage quantum phase transition driven solely by the superconducting gap Δ. As Δ increases, the system first transits at Δc1 from an underscreened Kondo-dominant state to a superconducting-dominant one. Simultaneously, the interorbital exchange mediator shifts from metallic itinerant electrons to virtual single-particle excitations within the gap-a renormalized Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interaction that sustains ferromagnetic order. Remarkably, at a second critical point Δc2, the mediator then undergoes a fundamental switch to virtual Cooper pairs from the condensate, triggering an abrupt reversal of the spin correlation from ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic. This sequential exchange mediator switching, distinct from the conventional picture of a smoothly enhanced Yu-Shiba-Rusinov exchange, establishes a paradigm for actively tuning quantum magnetic states in superconducting heterostructures.

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Authorization Required

We need you to provide your credentials before accessing this content.

Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

References (Subscription Required)

Outline

Information

Sign In to Your Journals Account

Filter

Filter

Article Lookup

Enter a citation