Josephson Currents in Quantum Hall Devices

We consider a simple model for an SNS Josephson junction in which the "normal metal" is a section of a filling-factor $\nu=2$ integer quantum-Hall edge. We provide analytic expressions for the current/phase relations to all orders in the coupling between the superconductor and the quantum Hall edge modes, and for all temperatures. Our conclusions are consistent with the earlier perturbative study by Ma and Zyuzin [Europhysics Letters {\bf 21} 941-945 (1993)]: The Josephson current is independent of the distance between the superconducting leads, and the upper bound on the maximum Josephson current is inversely proportional to the perimeter of the Hall device.Comment: Revtex4. 22 pages 9 figures. Replaced version has minor typos fixed and one added referenc

Hidden vortex lattices in a thermally paired superfluid

We study the evolution of rotational response of a hydrodynamic model of a two-component superfluid with a non-dissipative drag interaction, as the system undergoes a transition into a paired phase at finite temperature. The transition manifests itself in a change of (i) vortex lattice symmetry, and (ii) nature of vortex state. Instead of a vortex lattice, the system forms a highly disordered tangle which constantly undergoes merger and reconnecting processes involving different types of vortices, with a "hidden" breakdown of translational symmetry.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figs. Submitted to Physical Review. Online suppl. material available; Ref. 6. V2: Fig. 1 re-sent, URL in Ref. 6 correcte

Andreev tunneling through a double quantum-dot system coupled to a ferromagnet and a superconductor: effects of mean field electronic correlations

We study the transport properties of a hybrid nanostructure composed of a ferromagnet, two quantum dots, and a superconductor connected in series. By using the non-equilibrium Green's function approach, we have calculated the electric current, the differential conductance and the transmittance for energies within the superconductor gap. In this regime, the mechanism of charge transmission is the Andreev reflection, which allows for a control of the current through the ferromagnet polarization. We have also included interdot and intradot interactions, and have analyzed their influence through a mean field approximation. In the presence of interactions, Coulomb blockade tend to localized the electrons at the double-dot system, leading to an asymmetric pattern for the density of states at the dots, and thus reducing the transmission probability through the device. In particular, for non-zero polarization, the intradot interaction splits the spin degeneracy, reducing the maximum value of the current due to different spin-up and spin-down densities of states. Negative differential conductance (NDC) appears for some regions of the voltage bias, as a result of the interplay of the Andreev scattering with electronic correlations. By applying a gate voltage at the dots, one can tune the effect, changing the voltage region where this novel phenomenon appears. This mechanism to control the current may be of importance in technological applications.Comment: 12 pages, 11 figure

Current-current correlations in hybrid superconducting and normal metal multiterminal structures

We consider a hybrid system consisting of two normal metal leads weakly connected to a superconductor. Current-current correlations of the normal leads are studied in the tunneling limit at subgap voltages and temperatures. We find that only two processes contribute to the cross-correlation: the crossed Andreev reflection (emission of electrons in different leads) and the elastic cotunneling. Both processes are possible due to the finite size of the Cooper pair. Noise measurements can thus be used to probe directly the superconducting wave function without the drawbacks appearing in average current measurements where the current is dominated by direct Andreev reflection processes. By tuning the voltages it is possible to change the sign of the cross correlation. Quantitative predictions are presented both in the diffusive and ballistic regimes.Comment: 7 pages, 2 Figure

Physical Mechanism of the d->d+is Transition

We discuss the basic physical mechanism of the d->d+is transition, which is the currently accepted explanation for the results of tunneling experiments into $ab$ planes. Using the first-order perturbation theory, we show that the zero-bias states drive the transition. We present various order-of-magnitude estimates and consistency checks that support this picture.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figure

Tunneling into d-wave superconductors: Effects of interface spin-orbit coupling

Tunneling conductance of a clean normal metal/d-wave superconductor junction is studied by using the extended Blonder-Tinkham-Klapwijk formalism. We show that the conductance is significantly affected by the interface spin-orbit coupling of the Rashba type, which is inevitably present due to the asymmetry of the junction.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Normal metal - superconductor tunnel junction as a Brownian refrigerator

Thermal noise generated by a hot resistor (resistance $R$) can, under proper conditions, catalyze heat removal from a cold normal metal (N) in contact with a superconductor (S) via a tunnel barrier. Such a NIS junction acts as Maxwell's demon, rectifying the heat flow. Upon reversal of the temperature gradient between the resistor and the junction the heat fluxes are reversed: this presents a regime which is not accessible in an ordinary voltage-biased NIS structure. We obtain analytical results for the cooling performance in an idealized high impedance environment, and perform numerical calculations for general $R$. We conclude by assessing the experimental feasibility of the proposed effect

On the origin of the decrease in the torsional oscillator period of solid He4

A decrease in the rotational period observed in torsional oscillator measurements was recently taken as a possible indication of a supersolid state of helium. We reexamine this interpretation and note that the decrease in the rotation period is also consistent with a solidification of a small liquid-like component into a low-temperature glass. Such a solidification may occur by a low-temperature quench of topological defects (e.g., grain boundaries or dislocations) which we examined in an earlier work. The low-temperature glass can account for not only a monotonic decrease in the rotation period as the temperature is lowered but also explains the peak in the dissipation occurring near the transition point. Unlike the non-classical rotational inertia scenario, which depends on the supersolid fraction, the dependence of the rotational period on external parameters, e.g., the oscillator velocity, provides an alternate interpretation of the oscillator experiments. Future experiments might explore this effect.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures; to appear in Phys. Rev.

Bose Einstein Condensation of incommensurate solid 4He

It is pointed out that simulation computation of energy performed so far cannot be used to decide if the ground state of solid 4He has the number of lattice sites equal to the number of atoms (commensurate state) or if it is different (incommensurate state). The best variational wave function, a shadow wave function, gives an incommensurate state but the equilibrium concentration of vacancies remains to be determined. In order to investigate the presence of a supersolid phase we have computed the one--body density matrix in solid 4He for the incommensurate state by means of the exact Shadow Path Integral Ground State projector method. We find a vacancy induced Bose Einstein condensation of about 0.23 atoms per vacancy at a pressure of 54 bar. This means that bulk solid 4He is supersolid at low enough temperature if the exact ground state is incommensurate.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure

Fine structure of the local pseudogap and Fano effect for superconducting electrons near a zigzag graphene edge

Motivated by recent scanning tunneling experiments on zigzag-terminated graphene this paper investigates an interplay of evanescent and extended quasiparticle states in the local density of states (LDOS) near a zigzag edge using the Green's function of the Dirac equation. A model system is considered where the local electronic structure near the edge influences transport of both normal and superconducting electrons via a Fano resonance. In particular, the temperature enhancement of the critical Josephson current and 0-pi transitions are predicted.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev.