We calculate the subgap current in planar superconducting tunnel junctions with thin-film diffusive leads. It is found that the subharmonic gap structure of the tunnel current scales with an effective tunneling transparency which may exceed the junction transparency by up to two orders of magnitude depending on the junction geometry and the ratio between the coherence length and the elastic scattering length. These results provide an alternative explanation of enhanced values of the subgap current in tunneling experiments often ascribed to imperfection of the insulating layer. We also discuss the effect of finite lifetime of quasiparticles as the possible origin of additional enhancement of multiparticle tunnel currents.

• Received 22 February 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.73.220506