We theoretically show that terahertz pulses with controlled amplitude and frequency can be used to switch between stable transport modes in layered superconductors, modelled as stacks of Josephson junctions. We find pulse shapes that deterministically switch the transport mode between superconducting, resistive and solitonic states. We develop a simple model that explains the switching mechanism as a destablization of the centre of mass excitation of the Josephson phase, made possible by the highly non-linear nature of the light-matter coupling.
@article{arxiv.1707.07459,
title = {Terahertz field control of interlayer transport modes in cuprate superconductors},
author = {Frank Schlawin and Anastasia S. D. Dietrich and Martin Kiffner and Andrea Cavalleri and Dieter Jaksch},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1707.07459},
year = {2017}
}