Quasiparticle trapping, Andreev level population dynamics, and charge imbalance in superconducting weak links

Abstract

We present a comprehensive theoretical framework for the Andreev bound state population dynamics in superconducting weak links. Contrary to previous works, our approach takes into account the generated nonequilibrium distribution of the continuum quasiparticle states in a self-consistent way. As application of our theory, we show that the coupling of the superconducting contact to environmental phase fluctuations induces a charge imbalance of the continuum quasiparticle population. This imbalance is due to the breaking of the left-right symmetry in the rates connecting continuum quasiparticles and the Andreev bound state system, and causes a quasiparticle current on top of the Josephson current in a ring geometry. We evaluate the phase dependence of the quasiparticle current for realistic choices of the model parameters. Our theory also allows one to analyze the quantum coherent evolution of the system from an arbitrary initial state.

12 pages, 6 figures, final version (minor changes) to appear in PRB

References in corpus (6)

• Majorana qubit decoherence by quasiparticle poisoning
• Energy decay and frequency shift of a superconducting qubit from non-equilibrium quasiparticles
• Excitation of superconducting qubits from hot non-equilibrium quasiparticles
• Charge imbalance in superconductors in the low-temperature limit
• Theory of microwave spectroscopy of Andreev bound states with a Josephson junction
• Spin-blockade qubit in a superconducting junction

Cited by in corpus (5)

• Andreev spin qubits in multichannel Rashba nanowires
• From adiabatic to dispersive readout of quantum circuits
• Quench dynamics in superconducting nanojunctions: metastability and dynamical Yang-Lee zeros
• Nonequilibrium Andreev bound states population in short superconducting junctions coupled to a resonator
• Strong effects of weak ac driving in short superconducting junctions