Andreev magnetotransport in low-dimensional proximity structures: Spin-dependent conductance enhancement

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the interplay of Zeeman spin splitting and supercurrents in a 2D electron system enhances conductance via Andreev reflection, with implications for spin detection in superconducting hybrids.

Contribution

It reveals a spin-selective Andreev conductance enhancement caused by magnetic fields and supercurrents in low-dimensional proximity structures, a novel insight for spintronics.

Findings

Spin-dependent conductance enhancement observed

Anomalies in voltage, temperature, and magnetic field characteristics

Potential applications in spin detection using superconducting hybrids

Abstract

We study the excess conductance due to the superconducting proximity effect in a ballistic two-dimensional electron system subject to an in-plane magnetic field. We show that under certain conditions the interplay of the Zeeman spin splitting and the effect of a screening supercurrent gives rise to a spin-selective Andreev enhancement of the conductance and anomalies in its voltage, temperature and magnetic field characteristics. The magnetic-field influence on Andreev reflection is discussed in the context of using superconducting hybrid junctions for spin detection.