Abstract:
The Point Contact Andreev Reflection (PCAR) technique [ [1] , [2] ] is sensitive to the spin polarization of the current in a ferromagnet (F) interfaced with a superconductor (S). The main conduction mechanism in such a channel below the superconducting gap is the so-called Andreev reflection process, in which a quasiparticle current is converted into a supercurrent. However, as de Jong and Beenakker pointed out [ [3] ], for the spin-polarized fraction of the current Andreev reflection is prohibited, thus suppressing the conductance below the gap . The current transfer across an F-S interface can be described by a weak coupling Blonder-Tinkham-Klapwijk (BTK) [ [4] ] type model [ [5] ]. I will discuss the application of this technique to spin polarization measurements, determination of spin-diffusion length, and the studies of dilute magnetic semiconducting oxides [ [6] ].
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