This book offers a primer on the fundamental theory of Andreev reflection, a fundamental process in the motion of a Cooper pair, which dominates low-energy electronic transport properties in superconductor junctions including differential conductance and Josephson current. The book concisely describes how Andreev reflection impacts the low-energy physics of electronic transport especially in topologically non-trivial superconductor junctions. In addition, it includes an introduction to topological superconductors, covering topological classification, chiral and helical superconductors, and topological edges.

The book is based on the author's lecture notes, used in his intensive lectures and while supervising his upper undergraduate and early graduate students. To fully benefit from this concise primer, readers only need an undergraduate background in quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics. Further, by highlighting Josephson junctions of topological superconductors, thebook offers readers a glimpse into cutting-edge topics.

Offers a concise primer on the theory of Andreev reflection Reviews various Josephson junctions Delves into topological Josephson junctions

Autorentext
Yasuhiro Asano is an associate professor at the Department of Applied Physics, Hokkaido University. His work mainly involves quantum transport theory of unconventional superconductors. He received his Ph. D. from Nagoya University in 1995. After serving as a postdoctoral fellow at Delft University of Technology, he joined Hokkaido University as a research associate at the Department of Applied Physics in 1995, and became a lecturer in 2008. He has served in the current position since 2011.

Inhalt

Introduction.- Theoretical tool.- Mean-field theory of superconductivity.- Andreev reflection.- Unconventional superconductors.- Various Josephson junctions.- Proximity Effect.