https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2005-00136-1
Proximity effect gaps in S/N/FI structures
1
Center for Theoretical Physics, Sloane Physics Laboratory,
Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
2
Kavli Institute of NanoScience Delft,
Delft University of Technology,
Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ, Delft, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: a daniel.huertas-hernando@yale.edu
Received:
7
September
2004
Revised:
25
January
2005
Published online:
28
April
2005
We study the proximity effect in hybrid structures consisting of superconductor and ferromagnetic insulator separated by a normal diffusive metal (S/N/FI structures). These stuctures were proposed to realize the absolute spin-valve effect. We pay special attention to the gaps in the density of states of the normal part. We show that the effect of the ferromagnet is twofold: It not only shifts the density of states but also provides suppression of the gap. The mechanism of this suppression is remarkably similar to that due to magnetic impurities. Our results are obtained from the solution of one-dimensional Usadel equation supplemented with boundary conditions for matrix current at both interfaces.
PACS: 74.45.+c – Proximity effects; Andreev effect; SN and SNS junctions / 72.10.-d – Theory of electronic transport; scattering mechanisms / 74.78.-w – Superconducting films and low-dimensional structures / 75.70.-i – Magnetic properties of thin films, surfaces, and interfaces
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag, 2005