Adiabatic quantization of Andreev levels

Abstract

We identify the time $T$ between Andreev reflections as a classical adiabatic invariant in a ballistic chaotic cavity (Lyapunov exponent $λ$), coupled to a superconductor by an $N$-mode point contact. Quantization of the adiabatically invariant torus in phase space gives a discrete set of periods $T_{n}$, which in turn generate a ladder of excited states $ε_{nm}=(m+1/2)π\hbar/T_{n}$. The largest quantized period is the Ehrenfest time $T_{0}=λ^{-1}\ln N$. Projection of the invariant torus onto the coordinate plane shows that the wave functions inside the cavity are squeezed to a transverse dimension $W/\sqrt{N}$, much below the width $W$ of the point contact.

4 pages, 3 figures