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Microscopic theory of equilibrium properties of F/S/F trilayers with weak ferromagnets

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Abstract.

The aim of this paper is to explain the non monotonic temperature dependence of the self-consistent superconducting gap of ferromagnet/superconductor/ferromagnet (F/S/F) trilayers with weak ferromagnets in the parallel alignment (equivalent to F/S bilayers). We show that this is due to Andreev bound states that compete with the formation of a minigap. Using a recursive algorithm we discuss in detail the roles of various parameters (thicknesses of the superconductor and ferromagnets, relative spin orientation of the ferromagnets, exchange field, temperature, disorder, interface transparencies).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre de Recherches sur les Trés Basses Températures (CRTBT) (U.P.R. 5001 du CNRS, Laboratoire conventionné avec l’Université Joseph Fourier), B.P. 166, 38042, Grenoble Cedex 9, France

    R. Mélin

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Additional information

Received: 23 January 2004, Published online: 29 June 2004

PACS:

74.78.Na Mesoscopic and nanoscale systems - 74.45. + c Proximity effects; Andreev effect; SN and SNS junctions - 74.50. + r Tunneling phenomena; point contacts, weak links, Josephson effects

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Mélin, R. Microscopic theory of equilibrium properties of F/S/F trilayers with weak ferromagnets. Eur. Phys. J. B 39, 249–260 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2004-00188-7

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