Theory of the proximity effect in junctions with unconventional superconductors

Abstract

We present a general theory of the proximity effect in junctions between diffusive normal metals (DN) and superconductors. Various possible symmetry classes in a superconductor are considered: even-frequency spin-singlet even-parity (ESE) state, even-frequency spin-triplet odd-parity state, odd-frequency spin-triplet even-parity (OTE) state and odd-frequency spin-singlet odd-parity state. It is shown that the pair amplitude in a DN belongs, respectively, to an ESE, OTE, OTE, and ESE pairing state since only the even-parity s-wave pairing is possible due to the impurity scattering. © 2007 The American Physical Society.