Distribution functions and current-current correlations in normal-metal–superconductor heterostructures

Thomas Gramespacher and Markus Büttiker
Phys. Rev. B 61, 8125 – Published 15 March 2000
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Abstract

We introduce electronlike and holelike distribution functions, which determine the currents and the fluctuation spectra of the currents measured at a normal-conductor–superconductor heterostructure. These distribution functions are expressed with the help of newly defined partial densities of states for heterostructures. Voltage measurements using a weakly coupled contact on such a structure show the absence of a contact resistance to the superconducting reservoir and illustrate how the interface to the superconductor acts as an Andreev mirror. We also discuss the current-current correlations measured at two normal contacts and argue that the appearance of positive correlations is a purely mesoscopic effect, which vanishes in the limit of a large number of channels and in the average over an ensemble.

  • Received 7 September 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.61.8125

©2000 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Thomas Gramespacher

  • Département de Physique Théorique, Université de Genève, CH-1211 Genève 4, Switzerland
  • Department of Physics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0305

Markus Büttiker

  • Département de Physique Théorique, Université de Genève, CH-1211 Genève 4, Switzerland

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Vol. 61, Iss. 12 — 15 March 2000

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