Andreev drag effect in ferromagnetic-normal-superconducting systems

Abstract

We investigate conductances and current correlations in a system consisting of a normal multichannel conductor connected to one superconducting and two ferromagnetic electrodes. For antiparallel orientation of the ferromagnet polarizations, current injection from one ferromagnet can, due to Andreev reflection, lead to a net drag of current from the second ferromagnet toward the superconductor. We present the conditions for the Andreev drag in terms of the degree of lead polarizations, contact conductances and spin-flip scattering. Remarkably, both equilibrium and nonequilibrium zero-frequency current correlations between the ferromagnets become positive even in the presence of spin relaxation.