Magnetic-field-free parity-protected qubit based on a narrow altermagnet Josephson junction
Phys. Rev. B 114, 225408 – Published 8 October, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/srnr-kn2s
Abstract
Altermagnets provide a new route to engineer superconducting circuits without magnetic fields. We theoretically study the Andreev bound state (ABS) spectrum of a finite-width altermagnet-based Josephson junction and show how the -wave altermagnetic symmetry and geometric confinement shape its low-energy excitations. We find a clear distinction between the two -wave symmetries: order produces spin splitting, whereas order preserves spin degeneracy and exhibits splitting of the ABS spectrum induced by intermode hybridization. Leveraging these novel features, we propose applying a transverse electric field to tune the system and realize a magnetic-field-free, parity-protected superconducting qubit that we call altermon.