Efficient phase-tunable Josephson thermal rectifier

Josephson tunnel junctions are proposed as efficient phase-tunable thermal rectifiers. The latter exploit the strong temperature dependence of the superconducting density of states and phase-dependence of heat currents flowing through Josephson junctions to operate. Remarkably, large heat rectification coefficients up to similar to 800% can potentially be achieved using conventional materials and standard fabrication methods. In addition, these devices allow for the in situ fine tuning of the thermal rectification magnitude and direction. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.