Direct observation of ballistic Andreev reflection

TL;DR

This paper reviews experiments on ballistic electrical transport in inhomogeneous superconducting systems, highlighting the role of Andreev reflection across various geometries and material combinations, from early state-based studies to modern nano-structured devices.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of experimental advances in observing Andreev reflection in diverse inhomogeneous superconducting systems, emphasizing recent atomic-scale and nano-structured implementations.

Findings

Clear manifestation of energy- and directional dependence of Andreev reflection.

Progression from intermediate state experiments to atomic-scale point contacts.

Integration of superconductors with low-dimensional materials and topological insulators.

Abstract

An overview is presented of experiments on ballistic electrical transport in inhomogeneous superconducting systems which are controlled by the process of Andreev reflection. The initial experiments based on the coexistence of a normal phase and a superconducting phase in the intermediate state led to the concept itself. It was followed by a focus on geometrically inhomogeneous systems like point contacts, which provided a very clear manifestation of the energy- and directional dependence of the Andreev reflection process. The point contacts have in recent years evolved towards the atomic scale by using mechanical break-junctions, revealing in a very detailed way the dependence of Andreev reflection on the macroscopic phase of the superconducting state. In present day research the superconducting inhomogeneity is constructed by clean room technology and combines superconducting materials with, for example, low-dimensional materials and topological insulators. Alternatively the superconductor is combined with nano-objects, such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, or semiconducting nanowires. Each of these 'inhomogeneous systems' provides a very interesting range of properties, all rooted in some manifestation of Andreev reflection.