Skip to main content

Properties of Interfaces and Surfaces in Non-centrosymmetric Superconductors

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Non-Centrosymmetric Superconductors

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Physics ((LNP,volume 847))

Abstract

Tunneling spectroscopy at surfaces of unconventional superconductors has proven an invaluable tool for obtaining information about the pairing symmetry. It is known that mid-gap Andreev bound states manifest themselves as zero-bias conductance peaks in tunneling spectroscopy. The zero-bias conductance peak is a signature for a non-trivial pair potential that exhibits different signs on different regions of the Fermi surface. Here, we review recent theoretical results on the spectrum of Andreev bound states near interfaces and surfaces in non-centrosymmetric superconductors. We introduce a theoretical scheme to calculate the energy spectrum of a non-centrosymmetric superconductor. Then, we discuss the interplay between the spin-orbit vector field on the Fermi surface and the order parameter symmetry. The Andreev states carry a spin supercurrent and represent a helical edge mode along the interface. We study the topological nature of the resulting edge currents. If the triplet component of the order parameter dominates, then the helical edge mode exists. If, on the other hand, the singlet component dominates, the helical edge mode is absent. A quantum phase transition occurs for equal spin singlet and triplet order parameter components. We discuss the tunneling conductance and the Andreev point-contact conductance between a normal metal and a non-centrosymmetric superconductor.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Giaever, I.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 5, 147 (1960)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. Tanaka, Y., Kashiwaya, S.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 74, 3451 (1995)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Kashiwaya, S., Tanaka, Y.: Rep. Prog. Phys. 63, 1641 (2000)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. Bruder, C.: Phys. Rev. B 41, 4017 (1990)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. Hu, C.R.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 72, 1526 (1994)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  6. Buchholtz, L.J., Palumbo, M., Rainer, D., Sauls, J.A.: J. Low Temp. Phys. 101, 1099 (1995)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. Buchholtz, L.J., Zwicknagl, G.: Phys. Rev. B 23, 5788 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Hara, J., Nagai, K.: Prog. Theor. Phys. 74, 1237 (1986)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  9. Honerkamp, C., Sigrist, M.: J. Low Temp. Phys. 111, 895 (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Yamashiro, M., Tanaka, Y., Kashiwaya, S.: Phys. Rev. B 56, 7847 (1997)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  11. Matsumoto, M., Sigrist, M.: J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 68, 994 (1999)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. Tanaka, Y., Tanuma, T., Kuroki, K., Kashiwaya, S.: J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 71, 2102 (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Geerk, J., Xi, X.X., Linker, G.: Z. Phys. B. 73, 329 (1988)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Kashiwaya, S., Tanaka, Y., Koyanagi, M., Takashima, H., Kajimura, K.: Phys. Rev. B 51, 1350 (1995)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  15. Alff, L., Takashima, H., Kashiwaya, S., Terada, N., Ihara, H., Tanaka, Y., Koyanagi, M., Kajimura, K.: Phys. Rev. B 55, R14757 (1997)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  16. Covington, M., Aprili, M., Paraoanu, E., Greene, L.H., Xu, F., Zhu, J., Mirkin, C.A.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 79, 277 (1997)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  17. Wei, J.Y.T., Yeh, N.-C., Garrigus, D.F., Strasik, M.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 2542 (1998)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  18. Laube, F., Goll, G., Löhneysen, H.v., Fogelström, M., Lichtenberg, F.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 1595 (2000)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  19. Mao, Z.Q., Nelson, K.D., Jin, R., Liu, Y., Maeno, Y.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 037003 (2001)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  20. Kawamura, M., Yaguchi, H., Kikugawa, N., Maeno, Y., Takayanagi, H.: J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 74, 531 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Wälti, Ch., Ott, H.R., Fisk, Z., Smith, J.L.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 5616 (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Rourke, P.M.C., Tanatar, M.A., Turel, C.S., Berdeklis, J., Petrovic, C., Wei, J.Y.T.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 107005 (2005)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  23. Ichimura, K., Higashi, S., Nomura, K., Kawamoto, A.: Synth. Met. 153, 409 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Turel, C.S., Wei, J.Y.T., Yuhasz, W.M., Maple, M.B.: Physica C 32, 463–465 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Aoki, Y., Wada, Y., Saitoh, M., Nomura, R., Okuda, Y., Nagato, Y., Yamamoto, M., Higashitani, S., Nagai, K.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 075301 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Blonder, G.E., Tinkham, M., Klapwijk, T.M.: Phys. Rev. B 25, 4515 (1982)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  27. Eschrig, M.: Phys. Rev. B 61, 9061 (2000)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  28. Mackenzie, A.P., Maeno, Y.: Rev. Mod. Phys. 75, 657 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  29. Maeno, Y. et al.: Nature 394, 532 (1994)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  30. Maeno, Y., Hashimoto, H., Yoshida, K., Nishizaki, S., Fujita, T., Bednorz, J.G., Lichtenberg, F.: Nature (London) 372, 532 (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Ishida, K., Mukuda, H., Kitaoka, Y., Asayama, K., Mao, Z.Q., Mori, Y., Maeno, Y.: Nature (London) 396, 658 (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Luke, G.M., Fudamoto, Y., Kojima, K.M., Larkin, M.I., Merrin, J., Nachumi, B., Uemura, Y.J., Maeno, Y., Mao, Z.Q., Mori, Y., Nakamura, H., Sigrist, M.: Nature (London) 394, 558 (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Mackenzie, A.P., Maeno, Y.: Rev. Mod. Phys. 75, 657 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  34. Nelson, K.D., Mao, Z.Q., Maeno, Y., Liu, Y.: Science 306, 1151 (2004)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  35. Asano, Y., Tanaka, Y., Sigrist, M., Kashiwaya, S.: Phys. Rev. B 67, 184505 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  36. Asano, Y., Tanaka, Y., Sigrist, M., Kashiwaya, S.: Phys. Rev. B 71, 214501 (2005)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  37. Kambara, H., Kashiwaya, S., Yaguchi, H., Asano, Y., Tanaka, Y., Maeno, Y.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 267003 (2008)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  38. Tanuma, Y., Hayashi, N., Tanaka, Y., Golubov, A.A.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 117003 (2009)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  39. Yokoyama, T., Iniotakis, C., Tanaka, Y., Sigrist, M.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 177002 (2008)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  40. Fogelström, M., Rainer, D., Sauls, J.A.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 79, 281 (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Laube, F., Goll, G., Eschrig, M., Fogelström, M., Werner, R.: Phys. Rev. B 69, 014516 (2004)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  42. Yamashiro, M., Tanaka, Y., Yoshida, N., Kashiwaya, S.: J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 68, 2019 (1999)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  43. Prange, R.E., Girvin, S.M. (eds.) The Quantum Hall Effect. Springer, New York (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  44. Thouless, D. J., Kohmoto, M., Nightingale, M.P., den Nijs, M.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 49, 405 (1982)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  45. Goryo, J., Ishikawa, K.: J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 67, 3006 (1998)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  46. Furusaki, A., Matsumoto, M., Sigrist, M.: Phys. Rev. B 64 054514 (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  47. Bauer, E., Hilscher, G., Michor, H., Paul, Ch., Scheidt, E.W., Gribanov, A., Seropegin, Yu., Noël, H., Sigrist, M., Rogl, P.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 027003 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  48. Frigeri, P.A., Agterberg, D.F., Koga, A., Sigrist, M.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 097001 (2004)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  49. Reyren, N. et al.: Science 317, 1196 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  50. Yada, K., Onari, S., Tanaka, Y., Inoue, J.: Phys. Rev. B 80, 140509 (2009)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  51. Qi, X.L., Hughes, T.L., Raghu, S., Zhang, S.C.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 187001 (2009)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  52. Sato, M., Fujimoto, S.: Phys. Rev. B 79, 094504 (2009)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  53. Roy, R.: arXiv:cond-mat/0608064; Lu C.K., Yip S.-K.: Phys. Rev. B 78, 132502 (2008) Yip, S.-K.: arXiv:0910.0696

    Google Scholar 

  54. Tanaka, Y., Yokoyama, T., Balatsky, A.V., Nagaosa, N.: Phys. Rev. B 79, 060505(R) (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  55. Andreev, A.F.: Sov. Phys. JETP 19, 1228 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  56. Iniotakis, C., Hayashi, N., Sawa, Y., Yokoyama, T., May, U., Tanaka, Y., Sigrist, M.: Phys. Rev. B 76, 012501 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  57. Yokoyama, T., Tanaka, Y., Inoue, J.: Phys. Rev. B 72, 220504(R) (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  58. Vorontsov, A.B., Vekhter, I., Eschrig, M.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 127003 (2008)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  59. Linder, J., Sudb\({\o}\), A.: Phys. Rev. B 76, 054511 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  60. B\({\o}\)rkje, K., Sudb\({\o}\), A.: Phys. Rev. B 74, 054506 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  61. B\({\o}\)rkje, K.: Phys. Rev. B 76, 184513 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  62. Kashiwaya, S., Tanaka, Y., Yoshida, N., Beasley, M.R.: Phys. Rev. B 60, 3572 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  63. König, M., Wiedmann, S., Brüne, C., Roth, A., Buhmann, H., Molenkamp, L., Qi, X.-L., Zhang, S.-C.: Science 318, 766 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  64. Kane, C.L., Mele, E.J.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 146802 (2005)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  65. Kane, C.L., Mele, E.J.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 226801 (2005)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  66. Bernevig, B.A., Zhang, S.C.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 106802 (2006)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  67. Fu, L., Kane, C.L.: Phys. Rev. B 74, 195312 (2006)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  68. Fu, L., Kane, C.L.: Phys. Rev. B 76, 045302 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  69. Landau, L.D.: Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz. 32, 59 (1957), [Sov. Phys. JETP 5, 101 (1957)]

    Google Scholar 

  70. Landau, L.D.: Sov. Phys. JETP 8, 70 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  71. Serene, J.W., Rainer, D.: Phys. Rep. 101, 221 (1983)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  72. Rainer, D.: In: Brewer D.F. (ed.) Progress in Low Temperature Physics X, p. 371. Elsevier, Amsterdam (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  73. Eschrig, M., Heym, J., Rainer, D.: J. Low Temp. Phys. 95, 323 (1994)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  74. Rainer, D., Sauls, J.A.: In: Butcher, P.N., Lu, Y. (eds.) Superconductivity: From Basic Physics to New Developments, pp. 45–78. World Scientific, Singapore, (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  75. Eschrig, M., Rainer, D., Sauls, J.A.: Phys. Rev. B 59, 12095 (1999); Appendix C

    Google Scholar 

  76. Larkin, A.I., Ovchinnikov, Y.N.: Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz. 55, 2262 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  77. Larkin, A.I., Ovchinnikov, Y.N.: Sov. Phys. JETP 28, 1200 (1969)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  78. Eilenberger, G.: Z. Phys. 214, 195 (1968)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  79. Schmid, A., Schön, G.: J. Low. Temp. Phys. 20, 207 (1975)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  80. Schmid, A.: In: Gray, K.E. (ed.) Nonequilibrium Superconductivity, Phonons and Kapitza Boundaries, Proceedings of NATO Advanced Study Institute. Plenum Press, New York (1981), Chapter 14

    Google Scholar 

  81. Rammer, J., Smith, H.: Rev. Mod. Phys. 58, 323 (1986)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  82. Larkin, A.I., Ovchinnikov, Y.N.: In: Langenberg, D.N., Larkin, A.I. (eds.) Nonequilibrium Superconductivity, p. 493. Elsevier, Amsterdam (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  83. Eschrig, M., Sauls, J.A., Burkhardt, H., Rainer, D.: In: Drechsler, S.-L., Mishonov, T. (eds.) High-Tc Superconductors and Related Materials, Fundamental Properties, and Some Future Electronic Applications, Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute, pp. 413–446. Kluwer Academic, Norwell (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  84. Gor’kov, L.P.: Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz. 34, 735 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  85. Gor’kov, L.P.: Sov. Phys. JETP 7, 505 (1958)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  86. Gor’kov, L.P.: Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz. 36, 1918 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  87. Gor’kov, L.P.: Sov. Phys. JETP 9, 1364 (1959)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  88. Keldysh, L.V.: Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz. 47, 1515 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  89. Keldysh, L.V.: Sov. Phys. JETP 20, 1018 (1965)

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  90. Shelankov, A.L.: J. Low Temp. Phys. 60, 29 (1985)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  91. Alexander, J.A., Orlando, T.P., Rainer, D., Tedrow, P.M.: Phys. Rev. B 31, 5811 (1985)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  92. Eschrig, M., Sauls, J.A., Rainer, D.: Phys. Rev. B 60, 10447 (1999)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  93. Nagato, Y., Nagai, K., Hara, J.: J. Low Temp. Phys. 93, 33 (1993)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  94. Higashitani, S., Nagai, K.: J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 64, 549 (1995)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  95. Nagato, Y., Higashitani, S., Yamada, K., Nagai, K.: J. Low Temp. Phys. 103, 1 (1996)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  96. Schopohl, N., Maki, K.: Phys. Rev. B 52, 490 (1995)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  97. Schopohl, N.: cond-mat/9804064 (unpublished, 1998)

    Google Scholar 

  98. Eschrig, M., Kopu, J., Konstandin, A., Cuevas, J.C., Fogelström, M., Schön, G.: Singlet-triplet mixing in superconductor-ferromagnet hybrid devices. In: Bernhard Kramer (ed.) Advances in Solid State Physics, vol. 44, pp. 533–546. Springer, Berlin (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  99. Cuevas, J.C., Hammer, J., Kopu, J., Viljas, J.K., Eschrig, M.: Phys. Rev. B 73, 184505 (2006)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  100. Shelankov, A.L.: Sov. Phys. Solid State 26, 981 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  101. Shelankov, A.L.: Fiz. Tved. Tela 26, 1615 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  102. Zaitsev, A.V.: Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz. 86, 1742 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  103. Zaitsev, A.V.: Sov. Phys. JETP 59, 1015 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  104. Millis, A., Rainer, D., Sauls, J.A.: Phys. Rev. B 38, 4504 (1988)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  105. Yip, S.-K.: J. Low Temp. Phys. 109, 547 (1997)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  106. Lu, C.-K., Yip, S.-K.: Phys. Rev. B 80, 024504 (2009)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  107. Fogelström, M.: Phys. Rev. B 62, 11812 (2000)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  108. Shelankov, A., Ozana, M.: Phys. Rev. B 61, 7077 (2000)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  109. Shelankov, A., Ozana, M.: J. Low Temp. Phys. 124, 223 (2001)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  110. Zhao, E., Löfwander, T., Sauls, J.A.: Phys. Rev. B 70, 134510 (2004)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  111. Eschrig, M.: Phys. Rev. B 80, 134511 (2009)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  112. Grein, R., Eschrig, M., Metalidis, G., Schön, G.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 227005 (2009)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  113. Grein, R., Löfwander, T., Metalidis, G., Eschrig, M.: Phys. Rev. B 81, 094508 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  114. Eschrig, M., Kopu, J., Cuevas, J.C, Schön, G.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 137003 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  115. Kopu, J., Eschrig, M., Cuevas, J.C., Fogelström, M.: Phys. Rev. B 69, 094501 (2004)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  116. Eschrig, M., Löfwander, T.: Nat. Phys. 4, 138 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  117. Lück, T., Schwab, P., Eckern, U., Shelankov, A.: Phys. Rev. B 68, 174524 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  118. Graser, S., Dahm, T.: Phys. Rev. B 75, 014507 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  119. Frigeri P.A. et al.: Eur. Phys. J. B 54, 435 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  120. Sergienko, I.A., Curnoe, S.H.: Phys. Rev. B 70, 213410 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  121. Hayashi, N., Wakabayashi, K., Frigeri, P.A., Sigrist, M.: Phys. Rev. B 73, 024504 (2006)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  122. Rashba, E.I.: Phys. Rev. B 68, 241315 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  123. Mishchenko, E.G., Shytov, A.V., Halperin, B.I.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 226602 (2004)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank A. Balatsky, W. Belzig, J. Inoue, S. Kashiwaya, K. Kuroki, N. Nagaosa, J.A. Sauls, G. Schön, M. Sigrist, Y. Tanuma, I. Vekhter, A. Vorontsov, and T. Yokoyama for valuable discussions or contributions in connection with the topic of this chapter.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Matthias Eschrig .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Eschrig, M., Iniotakis, C., Tanaka, Y. (2012). Properties of Interfaces and Surfaces in Non-centrosymmetric Superconductors. In: Bauer, E., Sigrist, M. (eds) Non-Centrosymmetric Superconductors. Lecture Notes in Physics, vol 847. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-24624-1_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-24624-1_11

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-24623-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-24624-1

  • eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics