Theory of 0– transition in a superconductor/ferromagnet/superconductor junction

Abstract We study the 0– π transition by taking into account magnetic scattering in a dirty ferromagnet (FM). Using the fourth order perturbation theory for the tunneling Hamiltonian and Green's function method, we formulate the Josephson effect in a SC/FM/SC junction, where SC is a superconductor. It is found that Josephson critical current shows the damped oscillation as a function of the thickness of the ferromagnet and the 0– π transition occurs. Moreover, it is found that the 0– π transition occurs by changing temperature due to the magnetic scattering.