Quasiclassical theory of superconductivity: a multiple interface geometry

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to suggest a new method which allows one to study multiple coherent reflection/transmissions by partially transparent interfaces (e.g. in multi-layer mesoscopic structures or grain boundaries in high-Tc's) in the framework of the quasiclassical theory of superconductivity. It is argued that typically the trajectory of the particle is a simply connected tree (no loops) with knots, i.e. the points where interface scattering events occur and ballistic pieces of the trajectory are mixed. A linear boundary condition for the 2-component trajectory "wave function" which factorizes matrix (retarded) Green's function, is formulated for an arbitrary interface, specular or diffusive. To show the usage of the method, the current response to the vector potential (the total superfluid density rho_s) of a SS' sandwich with the different signs of the order parameter in S and S', is calculated. In this model, a few percent of reflection by the SS' interface transforms the paramagnetic response (rho_s < 0) created by the zero-energy Andreev bound states near an ideal interface (see Fauchere et al. PRL, 82, 3336 (1999), cond-mat/9901112), into the usual diamagnetic one (rho_s >0).