Nb Lateral Josephson Junction Induced by Inverse Proximity Effect With NiFe

We utilize the inverse proximity effect in superconductor-ferromagnet bilayer to generate lateral Josephson junctions. The weak link is created by a ferromagnetic NiFe strip across a superconductor Nb bridge due to the inverse proximity effect. The critical currents of the junctions were measured at different temperatures and magnetic fields. The junctions exhibit a modulation of the critical current in perpendicular magnetic field similar to a Fraunhofer interference pattern which proves the dc Josephson effect. The weak link region induced by the NiFe in Nb persists down to 2 K.