A Novel Method of Nanocontact Fabrication for Andreev Reflection Measurement

A new method of nanocontact fabrication for Adreev reflection measurement based on the nanopore method using a SiN membrane with focused ion beam technique is presented. With this method, controllable, clean,tensionless nano-contacts for spin polarization probing can be obtained. Measurements of the fabricated samples show complicated spectral structures with a zero bias anomaly and dip structures from quasipartical interactions. A control sample of Co40Fe40B20 is measured with Nb tip method. None of the measured spectra can be explained satisfactorily by present theory. Further analysis of the contact interface and a more complete theory are needed to extract a reliable spin polarization message with the point contact Andreev reflection method.

Distinction between critical current effects and intrinsic anomalies in the point-contact Andreev reflection spectra of unconventional superconductors

In this work,we discuss the origin of several anomalies present in the point-contact Andreev reflection spectra of（Li1-xFex）OHFeSe,LiTi2O4,and La2-xCexCuO4.While these features are similar to those stemming from intrinsic superconducting properties,such as Andreev reflection,electron-boson coupling,multigap superconductivity,d-wave and p-wave pairing symmetry,they cannot be accounted for by the modified Blonder–Tinkham–Klapwijk（BTK） model,but require to consider critical current effects arising from the junction geometry.Our results point to the importance of tracking the evolution of the dips and peaks in the differential conductance as a function of the bias voltage,in order to correctly deduce the properties of the superconducting state.

A pure spin-current injector of semiconductor quantum dots with Andreev reflection and Rashba spin-orbit coupling

We propose a four-terminal device consisting of two parallel quantum dots with Rashba spin-orbit interaction （RSOI）, coupled to two side superconductor leads and two common ferromagnetic leads, respectively. The two ferromagnetic leads and two quantum dots form a ring threaded by Aharonov-Bohm （AB） flux. This device possesses normal quasiparticle transmission between the two ferromagnetic leads, and normal and crossed Andreev reflections providing conductive holes. For the appropriate spin polarization of the ferromagnetic leads, RSOI and AB flux, the pure spin-up （or spin-down） current without net charge current in the right lead, which is due to the equal numbers of electrons and holes with the same spin-polarization moving along the same direction, can be obtained by adjusting the gate voltage, which may be used in practice as a pure spin-current injector.

Doping Induced Gap Anisotropy in Iron-Based Superconductors:a Point-Contact Andreev Reflection Study of BaFe2-xNixAs2 Single Crystals

We report a systematic investigation on c-axis point-contact Andreev reflection （PCAR） in BaFe2-xNixAs2 superconducting single crystals from underdoped to overdoped regions （0.075≤ x ≤0.15）. At low temperatures, an in-gap sharp peak at low-bias voltage is observed in PCAR for overdoped samples, in contrast to the case of underdoped junctions, in which an in-gap plateau is observed. The variety of the conductance spectra with doping can be well described by using a generalized Blonder-Tinkham-Klapwijk formalism with an angle-dependent gap. This gap shows a clear crossover from a nodeless in the underdoped side to a nodal feature in the overdoped region. This result provides evidence of the doping-induced evolution of the superconducting order parameter when the inter-pocket and intra-pocket scattering are tuned through doping, as expected in the s± scenario.

Resonant Andreev reflection in a normal-metal/quantum-dot/superconductor system with coupled Majorana bound states

Andreev reflection （AR） in a normal-metal/quantum-dot/superconductor （N-QD-S） system with coupled Majorana bound states （MBSs） is investigated theoretically. We find that in the N--QD-S system, the AR can be enhanced when coupling to the MBSs is incorporated. Fano line-shapes can be observed in the AR conductance spectrum when there is an appropriate QD-MBS coupling or MBS-MBS coupling. The AR conductance is always e2/2h at the zero Fermi energy point when only QD--MBSs coupling is considered. In addition, the resonant AR occurs when the MBS-MBS coupling roughly equals to the QD energy level. We also find that an AR antiresonance appears when the QD energy level approximately equals to the sum of the QD-MBS coupling and the MBS-MBS coupling. These features may serve as characteristic signatures for the probe of MBSs.

Nonlocal Andreev reflection with Rashba spin-orbital interaction in a triple-quantum-dot ring

We theoretically studied the nonlocal Andreev reflection with Rashba spin-orbital interaction in a triple-quantumdot （QD） ring, which is introduced as Rashba spin-orbital interaction to act locally on one component quantum dot. It is found that the electronic current and spin current are sensitive to the systematic parameters. The interdot spin-flip term does not play a leading role in causing electronic and spin currents. Otherwise the spin precessing terra leads to shift of the peaks of the the spin-up and spin-down electronic currents in different directions and results in the spin current. Moreover, the spin-orbital interaction suppresses the nonlocal Andreev reflection, so we cannot obtain the pure spin current.

Nonlocal Andreev reflection and spin current in a three-terminal Aharonov-Bohm interferometer

This paper theoretically reports the nonlocal Andreev reflection and spin current in a normal metal-ferromagnetic metal-superconducting Aharonov-Bohm interferometer. It is found that the electronic current and spin current are sensitive to systematic parameters, such as the gate voltage of quantum dots and the external magnetic flux. The electronic current in the normal metal lead results from two competing processes： quasiparticle transmission and nonlocal Andreev reflection. The appearance of zero spin-up electronic current （or spin-down electronic current） signals the existence of nonlocal Andreev reflection, and the presence of zero electronic current results in the appearance of pure spin current.

Effect of Intra-Dot Coulomb Interaction on Andreev Reflection in Normal-Metal/Quantum-Dot/Superconductor System

We investigate the effect of intra-dot Coulomb interaction on the Andreev reflection in a normalmetal/quantum-dot/superconductor (N-QD-S) system with multiple levels in the quantum dot, in the regime where the intra-dot interacting constant is comparable to the energy gap of superconducting lead. By using nonequilibrium Green function method, the averaged occupation of electrons in the quantum dot and the Andreev reflection (AR) current are studied. Comparing to the case of non-interacting quantum dot, the system shows significant changes for the a two-step-like behavior; and the I-Vg shows two groups of peaks, separated by U and with equal heights, where Vg is the gate voltage and U denotes the intra-dot Coulomb interaction constant. (ii) For finite bias voltage, dips, superposed V ≥ U/2, extra AR current peaks occur between the two groups of the peaks. Besides, the properties of the heights of the AR current peaks are more complicated.

Strain-modulated anisotropic Andreev reflection in a graphene-based superconducting junction

We investigate the Andreev reflection across a uniaxial strained graphene-based superconducting junction.Compared with pristine graphene-based superconducting junction,three opposite properties are found.Firstly,in the regime of the interband conversion of electron–hole,the Andreev retro-reflection happens.Secondly,in the regime of the intraband conversion of electron–hole,the specular Andreev reflection happens.Thirdly,the perfect Andreev reflection,electron–hole conversion with unit efficiency,happens at a nonzero incident angle of electron.These three exotic properties arise from the strain-induced anisotropic band structure of graphene,which breaks up the original relation between the direction of velocity of particle and the direction of the corresponding wavevector.Our finding gives an insight into the understanding of Andreev reflection and provides an alternative method to modulate the Andreev reflection.

Photoinduced valley-dependent equal-spin Andreev reflection in Ising superconductor junction

The Ising spin–orbit coupling could give rise to the spin-triplet Cooper pairs and equal-spin Andreev reflection(AR)in Ising superconductors.Here we theoretically study the valley-dependent equal-spin AR in a ferromagnet/Ising superconductor junction with a circularly polarized light applied to the ferromagnet.Because of the spin-triplet Cooper pairs and the optical irradiation,eight kinds of AR processes appear in the junction,including equal-spin AR and normal AR,the strengths and properties of which strongly depend on the valley degree of freedom.The AR probabilities for the incident electron from the two valleys exhibit certain symmetry with respect to the magnetization angle and the effective energy of light.The equal-spin AR and normal AR present different features and resonant behaviors near the superconducting gap edges.Due to equal-spin-triplet Cooper pairs,not only charge supercurrent but also spin supercurrent can transport in the Ising superconductors.The differential spin conductance for electron injecting from the two valleys can be controlled by the circularly polarized light.

Andreev Reflection of Pseudo-Correlated Pairs Electrons in the System ＂Superconductor-Fluctuation Superconductor-Superconductor＂

In the article, the Josephson system ＂Superconductor-Fluctuation Superconductor-Superconductor＂, consisting of a combination of superconductors with a fluctuation superconductor was considered. The possibility of transformation of the superconducting （Cooper） pairs in psevdocorrelated （fluctuation） of a pair of electrons is shown, and vice versa, the fluctuation pairs in the Cooper pairs in such a Josephson system. The characteristic features of the Andreev reflection of the weakly bound electron, which is part of the fluctuation pairs in the interface ＂fluctuation superconductor-superconductor＂ with a probability of forming a pair of ＂Electron-Hole＂ and the generation of psevdocorrelated pair discussed. The probability of formation of two correlated superconducting electron pairs, forming original cluster with a charge 4e, in the interface ＂Fluctuation Superconductor-Superconductor＂ as a result of transmutation of the reflected hole into an electron or subjection Andreev reflection of both electrons of fluctuation pairs is viewed. The above processes may be useful for better understanding the fluctuation effects in superconducting materials which appear at temperatures above the critical value.

均匀磁场下二维拓扑绝缘体边缘态的多重Andreev反射研究

研究均匀磁场下的二维拓扑绝缘体在超导隧道结中的电压偏置约瑟夫森结的输运性质,电流-电压特性显示了马约拉纳束缚态的存在。在亚谐隙结构中,也可以观察到磁场对超导能隙的影响。研究结果表明,在S波超导体/正常金属/S波超导结的隧道谱中存在亚谐隙结构。透明度只影响超导结的零偏压电导值的大小,而不影响亚谐隙结构的位置。但是在磁场作用下,亚谐隙结构会发生变化,不再固定出现在特定位置。这一结果对应于拓扑螺旋态中超导和铁磁序之间的相互作用。

耦合Majorana束缚态T形双量子点中的Andreev反射

研究了连接在正常金属电极和超导电极之间的耦合Majorana束缚态(MBSs)T形双量子点结构中的Andreev反射.研究发现,对于T形双量子点结构,当入射能量等于边耦合量子点能级时Andreev反射电导出现Fano振荡,连接MBSs之后,零费米能附近出现一对新的Fano型振荡峰.如果忽略两个MBSs之间的相互作用,零费米能点的Andreev反射电导为定值1/2G_0(G_0=2e^2/h),不受量子点能级、双量子点之间耦合强度以及量子点与MBSs之间的耦合强度的影响.此外,在没有耦合MBSs的T形双量子点结构中,调节双量子点间的耦合强度可以使零费米能附近的Andreev反射电导出现由共振带向反共振带的转变,而耦合MBSs之后,又可以使反共振消失转而出现新的共振峰.

层状铁磁体Fe0.26TaS2的Andreev反射谱

如何避免界面反应、可靠地提取材料的自旋极化率是自旋电子学的一个基本问题.本文选取了一种独特的铁磁性层状过渡族金属硫化物Fe0.26TaS2,研究了单晶材料的磁性、电子输运和Andreev反射谱.磁性和输运结果表明,低温下Fe0.26TaS2单晶存在强磁各向异性、双峰磁电阻和反常霍尔效应.通过干法转移方案制备的干净界面的Fe0.26TaS2超导异质结的Andreev反射谱,发现该材料的自旋极化率为47%±7%.本文展示的干法转移制备超导/磁性异质结的方法可广泛用于测量各种二维磁性材料的自旋极化率.

耦合三端子量子点系统中Andreev反射调控的热电输运

以耦合到超导电极、铁磁金属电极及正常金属电极的三端子量子点混杂系统为研究对象,系统研究了自旋极化电子的Andreev反射过程对热电流的影响.研究发现,Andreev反射过程及正常的隧穿过程2种机制的竞争不仅导致热电荷流大小和方向的改变,而且导致热自旋流大小和方向的改变.可通过调控门电压及超导体与量子点耦合强度实现.

第二类Weyl半金属的金属-超导-金属结中的Andreev反射

理论上研究了第二类Weyl半金属的金属-超导-金属(NSN)结在倾斜一定角度后体系的散射性质,计算结果显示倾斜角可以决定体系的散射机制,当倾斜角较小时, NSN结中存在两种局域Andreev反射和两种电子隧穿,包括径向Andreev反射、镜面Andreev反射、径向电子隧穿和镜面电子隧穿.随着倾斜角的增加,局域Andreev反射逐渐被抑制,当倾斜角超过临界角后, NSN结中的输运过程与正常金属的NSN结相同,会同时发生电子正常反射、电子隧穿、局域Andreev反射和交叉Andreev反射.此外,体系的总电导不受化学势的影响,并且在倾斜角小于临界角时不受入射角的影响,而在倾斜角大于临界角时随入射角的增加而减小,而交叉Andreev反射电导在某些条件下会随入射角的增加而增强.

铁磁性电极条件下T形双量子点结构中马约拉纳束缚态的解耦现象

通过将马约拉纳束缚态侧耦合到主通道中的量子点,从理论上研究了T形双量子点体系的输运性质.结果表明,调整侧耦合量子点能级和量子点-马约拉纳束缚态耦合方式,可以在线性输运区观察到马约拉纳束缚态与T形双量子点解耦的现象.引入铁磁性电极后,电导平台的出现或损坏明显依赖于体系中磁场与电极极化方向的差异,而马约拉纳束缚态的解耦现象仍然稳固.本工作有助于进一步诠释T形双量子点体系中马约拉纳束缚态的解耦现象,为深入认知以及探测马约拉纳束缚态提供理论支持.

嵌有马约拉纳束缚态的T型量子点结构中的电流交叉关联

本文研究了在两个量子点之间嵌入拓扑超导纳米线的T型结构中,由马约拉纳束缚态所引起的电子输运特性,通过考虑对称和反对称两种偏压施加方式,发现量子点之间的超导对势对马约拉纳束缚态的非局域性有重要的影响.主要表现为,相比于电导发生的微弱变化,电流交叉关联的强度明显依赖于偏压施加方式和量子点间的超导对势.这表明电流交叉关联是描述马约拉纳束缚态性质的重要内容.该工作有助于深入理解马约拉纳束缚态的物理特性.

Valley switch effect in anα-T3 lattice-based superconducting interferometer

Dirac electrons possess a valley degree of freedom,which is currently under investigation as a potential information carrier.We propose an approach to generate and manipulate the valley-switching current(VSC)through Andreev reflection using an interferometer-based superconductor hybrid junction.The interferometer comprises a ring-shaped structure formed by topological kink states in the a-T3 lattice via carefully designed electrostatic potentials.Our results demonstrate the feasibility of achieving a fully polarized VSC in this device without contamination from cotunneling electrons sharing the same valley as the incident electron.Furthermore,we show that control over the fully polarized VSC can be achieved by applying a nonlocal gate voltage or modifying the global parameter a.The former alters the dynamic phase of electrons while the latter provides an a-dependent Berry phase,both directly influencing quantum interference and thereby affecting performance in terms of generating and manipulating VSC,crucial for advancements in valleytronics.

Anomalous Andreev reflection on a torus-shaped Fermi surface

Andreev reflection(AR)refers to the electron-hole conversion at the normal metal-superconductor interface.In a threedimensional metal with a spherical Fermi surface,retro(specular)AR can occur with the sign reversal of all three(a single)components of particle velocity.Here,we predict a novel type of AR with the inversion of two velocity components,dubbed"anomalous Andreev reflection"(AAR),which can be realized in a class of materials with a torus-shaped Fermi surface,such as doped nodal line semimetals.For its toroidal circle perpendicular to the interface,the Fermi torus doubles the AR channels and generates multiple AR processes.In particular,the AAR and retro AR are found to dominate electron transport in the light and heavy doping regimes,respectively.We show that the AAR visibly manifests itself as a ridge structure in the spatially resolved nonlocal conductance,in contrast to the peak structure for the retro AR.Our work opens a new avenue for the AR spectroscopy and offers a clear transport signature of the torus-shaped Fermi surface.