Proximity Effect and Josephson Coupling in the SO(5) Theory of High-Tc Superconductivity

Abstract

We consider proximity effect coupling in superconducting-antiferromagnetic-superconducting sand- wiches using the recently developed SO 5 effective theory of high temperature superconductivity. We find that, for narrow junctions, the A region acts like a strong superconductor, and that there is a critical junction thickness which depends on the effective SO 5 coupling constants and on the phase difference across the junction, at which the A region undergoes a Freedericksz-like transition to a state which is intermediate between superconductor and antiferromagnet. For thick junctions, the current-phase relation is sinusoidal, as in standard SNS and SIS junctions, but for thin junctions it shows a sharp break in slope at the Freedericksz point.