Josephson current in S-FIF-S junctions: Nonmonotonic dependence on misorientation angle

Abstract

Spectra and spin structures of Andreev interface states in superconductor--ferromagnet-insulator-ferromagnet--superconductor (S-FIF-S) junctions are investigated with emphasis on finite transparency and misorientation angle $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ between in-plane magnetizations of ferromagnetic layers in a three-layer interface. It is demonstrated that the Josephson current in S-FIF-S quantum point contacts can exhibit a nonmonotonic dependence on the misorientation angle. The characteristic behavior takes place if the $\ensuremath{\pi}$ state is the equilibrium state of the junction in the particular case of parallel magnetizations.