Band-mixing-mediated Andreev reflection of semiconductor holes

Abstract

We have investigated Andreev-reflection processes occurring at a clean interface between a $p$-type semiconductor and a conventional superconductor. Our calculations are performed within a generalized Bogoliubov-de Gennes formalism where the details of the semiconductor band structure are described by a $6\times 6$ Kane model. It is found that Andreev reflection of light-hole and heavy-hole valence-band carriers is generally possible and that the two valence-band hole types can be converted into each other in the process. The normal-reflection and Andreev-reflection amplitudes depend strongly on the semiconductor's carrier concentration and on the angle of injection. In the special case of perpendicular incidence, Andreev reflection of heavy holes does not occur. Moreover, we find conversion-less Andreev reflection to be impossible above some critical angle, and another critical angle exists above which the conversion of a heavy hole into a light hole cannot occur.

8 pages, 5 figures

References in corpus (5)

• Zeeman splitting in ballistic hole quantum wires
• Aharonov-Bohm oscillations in the presence of strong spin-orbit interactions
• Andreev reflection at half-metal-superconductor interfaces with non-uniform magnetization
• Anisotropic modification of the effective hole $g$-factor by electrostatic confinement
• Charge and spin transport through a ferromagnet/insulator/unconventional superconductor junction

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• Microscopic analysis of proximity-induced superconductivity and metallization effects in superconductor-germanium hole nanowires
• Superconducting Proximity Effect in Two-Dimensional Hole Gases
• Theory of superconducting proximity effect in hole-based hybrid semiconductor-superconductor devices