Kondo screening of Andreev bound states in an N-QD-S system

TL;DR

This paper theoretically investigates the Kondo effect in a hybrid normal metal-quantum dot-superconductor device, revealing how Andreev bound states can mimic Kondo physics and explaining experimental observations.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical framework for understanding Kondo screening of Andreev bound states in N-QD-S systems, connecting experimental results with Anderson model simulations.

Findings

Andreev energy levels act as effective impurity levels.

Normal lead coupling broadens Andreev levels into bound states.

The model explains various regimes observed experimentally.

Abstract

Motivated by experimental observation of the Kondo-enhanced Andreev transport [R. S. Deacon \textit{et al.}, PRB \textbf{81}, 121308(R) (2010)] in a hybrid normal metal-quantum dot-superconductor (N-QD-S) device, we theoretically study the Kondo effect in such a device and clarify the different roles played by the normal and superconducting leads. Due to the Andreev reflection in a QD-S system, a pair of Andreev energy levels form in the superconducting gap, which is able to carry the magnetic moment if the ground state of the QD is a magnetic doublet. In this sense, the Andreev energy levels play a role of effective impurity levels. When the normal lead is coupled to the QD-S system, on the one hand, the Andreev energy levels broaden to form the so-called Andreev bound states (ABSs), on the other hand, it can screen the magnetic moment of the ABSs. By tuning the couplings between the QD and the normal (superconducting) leads, the ABSs can simulate the Kondo, mixed-valence, and even empty orbit regimes of the usual single-impurity Anderson model. The above picture is confirmed by the Green's function calculation of the hybrid N-QD-S Anderson model and is also able to explain qualitatively experimental phenomena observed by Deacon \textit{et al.}. These results can further stimulate related experimental study in the N-QD-S systems.