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  • Letter
  • Open Access

Vortex refraction and enhanced vortex velocities at tilted superconductor-normal metal interfaces

Matéo F. L. Roinard-Chauvet1,2,*, Axel J. M. Deenen2,*, and Dirk Grundler2,3,†

  • *These authors contributed equally to this work.
  • †Contact author: dirk.grundler@epfl.ch
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Phys. Rev. Research 8, L022018 – Published 27 April, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/ld3z-kkmp

Abstract

We derive a refraction law for superconducting vortices at superconductor/normal metal (S/N) interfaces that are exposed to tilted magnetic fields. Simulations of the proximity effect confirm this law and reveal vortex trapping for low effective mass. Under transport currents, we find tilt-angle-dependent core displacements due to vortex viscosities differing across the S/N interface and characteristic voltage oscillations due to the modified vortex dynamics. Our results are important for emerging three-dimensional superconductor nanotechnologies. They offer design principles for high-current S/N devices and their interface orientation in an applied field.

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Phys. Rev. Research 8, L022018– Published 27 April, 2026
  • Received 30 July 2025
  • Accepted 30 March 2026
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

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