Proximity induced interface bound states in superconductor-graphene junctions

Abstract

We show that interface bound states are formed at isolated graphene-superconductor junctions. These states arise due to the interplay of virtual Andreev and normal reflections taking place at these interfaces. Simple analytical expressions for their dispersion are obtained considering interfaces formed along armchair or zig-zag edges. It is shown that the states are sensitive to a supercurrent flowing on the superconducting electrode. The states provide long range superconducting correlations on the graphene layer which may be exploited for the detection of crossed Andreev processes.