Spin-polarized Specular Andreev Reflections in Altermagnets

TL;DR

This paper theoretically demonstrates stable specular Andreev reflection at altermagnet-superconductor interfaces, revealing spin polarization effects and proposing a device for entangled electron pair generation with measurable conductance signatures.

Contribution

It introduces the occurrence of stable specular Andreev reflection in altermagnets and proposes a novel device leveraging this for entangled electron pair production.

Findings

Stable specular Andreev reflection occurs at altermagnet-superconductor interfaces.

The device can act as both a Cooper pair splitter and a spin beam splitter.

Positive nonlocal conductance and noise cross-correlation indicate the reflection phenomenon.

Abstract

We show theoretically that specular Andreev reflection occurs stably at altermagnet--superconductor interfaces, which is a phenomenon that has previously been predicted only in a limited range of materials, such as Dirac/Weyl materials with fine-tuned chemical potentials. Furthermore, the characteristic spin-split bands of the altermagnet lead to a distinctive spin polarization in the specular Andreev reflections. By utilizing this feature, we propose a device that integrates the functions of both a Cooper pair splitter and a spin beam splitter, thereby creating energy-entangled electron pairs. The positive nonlocal conductance and the positive noise cross-correlation are unambiguous signatures of specular Andreev reflections in the proposed device.