Scattering problem in nonequilibrium quasiclassical theory of metals and superconductors: General boundary conditions and applications

Abstract

I derive a general set of boundary conditions for quasiclassical transport theory of metals and superconductors that is valid for equilibrium and nonequilibrium situations and includes multiband systems, weakly and strongly spin-polarized systems, and disordered systems. The formulation is in terms of the normal state scattering matrix. Various special cases for boundary conditions are known in the literature, which are, however, limited to either equilibrium situations or single band systems. The present formulation unifies and extends all these results. In this paper I will present the general theory in terms of coherence functions and distribution functions and demonstrate its use by applying it to the problem of spin-active interfaces in superconducting devices and the case of superconductor/half-metal interface scattering.