Resonator-induced quantum phase transitions in a hybrid Josephson junction

Abstract

We investigate the Josephson current through a suspended carbon nanotube double quantum dot which, at sufficiently low temperatures, is characterized by the ground state of the electronic subsystem. Depending on parameters such as a magnetic field or the interdot coupling, the ground state can either be a current-carrying singlet or doublet, or a blockaded triplet state. Since the electron-vibration interaction has been demonstrated to be electrostatically tunable, we study in particular its effect on the current-phase relation. We show that the coupling to the vibration mode can lift the current-suppressing triplet blockade by inducing a quantum phase transition to a ground state of a different total spin. Our key finding is the development of a triple point in the Josephson current parametrized by the resonator coupling and the Josephson phase. The quantum phase transitions around the triple point are directly accessible through the critical current and resilient to moderately finite temperatures. The proposed setup makes the mechanical degree of freedom part of a superconducting hybrid device which is interesting for ultrasensitive displacement detectors.