Using Crossed Andreev Reflection to Split Electrons

TL;DR

This paper explores how crossed Andreev reflection in mesoscopic superconducting systems can be used to generate nonlocal currents, enabling quantum interference experiments and potential quantum information applications.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of using crossed Andreev reflection as a mesoscopic beam splitter for quantum interference and entanglement studies.

Findings

Crossed Andreev reflection induces nonlocal hole currents.

Mesoscopic systems can mimic quantum optics interferometers.

Potential for studying quasiparticle statistics and entanglement.

Abstract

Mesoscopic systems possess shot noise in their currents due to the quantization of the conducting quasiparticles. Measurements of this shot noise are useful to study phenomena that do not manifest themselves in standard conductance or resistance measurements, such as the statistics of the conducting quasiparticles or quantum entanglement via Bell tests. The corresponding particle statistics can be determined via two particle quantum interference experiments, such as the Hong-Ou-Mandel effect which demonstrates a bunching effect for bosons or an anti-bunching effect in fermions. In superconducting proximity junctions, electrons incident on a superconductor can induce holes via crossed Andreev reflection (CAR) in spatially separated normal metal leads, where the resulting hole currents have nontrivial partition noise due to the four terminal configuration. These nonlocally generated currents, using a superconductor as a mesoscopic beam splitter, enable fabrication of mesoscopic analogs to quantum optics interferometers using metallic and superconducting films with multiport geometries.