The influence of spin-dependent phases of tunneling electrons on the conductance of a point ferromagnet/isolator/d-wave superconductor contact

Abstract

The influence of phase shifts of electron waves passing through and reflected by the potential barrier on the Andreev reflection in a ferromagnet/isolator/d-wave superconductor (FIS) contact is studied. It is found that in a superconductor the surface spin-dependent Andreev bound states inside the superconducting gap are formed as a result of the interference of electron-like and hole-like quasiparticles due to repeated Andreev reflections. The peak in the conductance of the FIS contact at the zero potential for the (110)-oriented superconductor disappears rapidly as the polarization of a ferromagnet increases, whereas for the (100)-oriented superconductor it appears. The physical reason for this behavior of conductance is discussed.