Noise and Full Counting Statistics of Incoherent Multiple Andreev Reflection

Abstract

We present a general theory for the full counting statistics of multiple Andreev reflections in incoherent superconducting-normal-superconducting contacts. The theory, based on a stochastic path integral approach, is applied to a superconductor-double barrier system. It is found that all cumulants of the current show a pronounced subharmonic gap structure at voltages $V=2Δ/en$. For low voltages $V\llΔ/e$, the counting statistics results from diffusion of multiple charges in energy space, giving the $p$th cumulant $<Q^p> \propto V^{2-p}$, diverging for $p\geq 3$. We show that this low-voltage result holds for a large class of incoherent superconducting-normal-superconducting contacts.

4 pages, 4 figures