Quasiparticle entropy in superconductor/normal metal/superconductor proximity junctions in the diffusive limit

Abstract

We discuss the quasiparticle entropy and heat capacity of a dirty superconductor-normal metal-superconductor junction. In the case of short junctions, the inverse proximity effect extending in the superconducting banks plays a crucial role in determining the thermodynamic quantities. In this case, commonly used approximations can violate thermodynamic relations between supercurrent and quasiparticle entropy. We provide analytical and numerical results as a function of different geometrical parameters. Quantitative estimates for the heat capacity can be relevant for the design of caloritronic devices or radiation sensor applications.

7 pages, 5 figures