We formulate a scattering theory of the proximity effect in a weakly disordered superconductor–insulating barrier–normal metal–insulating barrier–normal metal (SININ) junction. This allows one to relate the conductance and density of states of the junction to the scattering times $\tau$ (eigenvalues of the Wigner-Smith time-delay matrix). The probability density $P\left(\tau \right)$ has two peaks, at a short time ${\tau }_{\min }$ and a late time ${\tau }_{\max }$. The density of states at the Fermi level is the geometric mean of the two times. The splitting of the zero-bias conductance peak is given by $\hslash /{\tau }_{\max }$.

Close

PrevNext

View figure in article

• Andreev reflection
• Proximity effect
• Superconducting devices
• Tunnel junctions
• Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations