Multiple Andreev reflections in a quantum dot coupled to superconductors: Effects of spin-orbit coupling

Fabrizio Dolcini, Luca Dell'Anna

Published 2008-04-03, updated 2008-10-22Version 2

We study the out-of-equilibrium current through a multilevel quantum dot contacted to two superconducting leads and in the presence of Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit couplings, in the regime of strong dot-lead coupling. The multiple Andreev reflection (MAR) subgap peaks in the current voltage characteristics are found to be modified (but not suppressed) by the spin-orbit interaction, in a way that strongly depends on the shape of the dot confining potential. In a perfectly isotropic dot the MAR peaks are enhanced when the strength $\alpha_R$ and $\alpha_D$ of Rashba and Dresselhaus terms are equal. When the anisotropy of the dot confining potential increases the dependence of the subgap structure on the spin-orbit angle $\theta=\arctan(\alpha_D/\alpha_R)$ decreases. Furthermore, when an in-plane magnetic field is applied to a strongly anisotropic dot, the peaks of the non-linear conductance oscillate as a function of the magnetic field angle, and the location of the maxima and minima allows for a straightforward read-out of the spin-orbit angle $\theta$.