Proximity effect, Andreev reflections, and charge transport in mesoscopic superconducting/semiconducting heterostructures

In the quasi-two-dimensional (Q2D) electron gas of an InAs channel between an AlSb substrate and superconducting niobium layers, the proximity effect induces a pair potential so that a Q2D mesoscopic superconducting/normal/superconducting (SNS) junction forms in the channel. The pair potential is calculated with quasiclassical Green’s functions in the clean limit. For such a junction, alternating Josephson currents and current–voltage characteristics (CVCs) are computed, using the nonequilibrium quasiparticle wavefunctions which solve the time-dependent Bogoliubov–de Gennes equations. The CVCs exhibit features found experimentally by the Kroemer group: a steep rise of the current at small voltages (‘foot’) changes at a ‘corner current’ to a much slower increase of current with higher voltages, and the zero-bias differential resistance increases with temperature. Phase-coherent multiple Andreev reflections and the associated Cooper pair transfers are the physical mechanisms responsible for the oscillating Josephson currents and the CVCs. Additional experimental findings not reproduced by the theory require model improvements, especially a consideration of the external current leads which should give rise to hybrid quasiparticle/collective-mode excitations.     

Nonequilibrium Josephson effect in systems of tunnel superconducting junctions and in layered superconductors

This paper examines the time-dependent Josephson effect in systems of tunnel superconducting junctions and in layered superconductors (the intrinsic Josephson effect) with allowance for nonequilibrium superconductivity effects. Kinetic and quasihydrodynamic equations are derived that describe self-consistently the dynamics of Josephson phases and nonequilibrium quasiparticles. It is found that the state of nonequilibrium between the layers leads to an effective mechanism of the interaction between interlayer Josephson junctions, which can be used to synchronize the junctions. Current-voltage characteristics of chains of intrinsic junctions are obtained for different values of the parameters. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 116, 1798–1816 (November 1999)     

Josephson-junction qubits: entanglement and coherence

We review briefly the problems that are driving the search for a quantum computer. These include, primarily, methods for encryption and decryption based on Shor’s algorithm for factoring large integers and the use of Pell’s equation for encryption. We also outline some of the approaches that have been suggested for implementing a quantum computer and then focus on Josephson-junction systems as qubits. We have been investigating the current-biased Josephson junction for this application, a suggestion we made about 2 years ago. We have studied macroscopic quantum tunneling and energy level spectroscopy, using microwaves, in single junctions and recently we have begun measurements of the two-quantum bit (qubit) system, i.e. two capacitively coupled junctions. Theoretical studies of energy levels and their dynamic evolution are also in progress. In the present report we discuss the basics of single Josephson junctions and compare their potential as qubits with the potentials of other systems. We also discuss our future plans to obtain greater isolation of the junctions from sources of decoherence and to develop realistic qubits. An important first step must be to exhibit quantum entanglement and measure coherence times. Then it must be shown that the states of the qubits can be initialized, that gate operations can be performed, and that the results can be read out.     

Quantum cascade phenomenon in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+delta) single crystals

We study interlayer transport in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+delta) cuprates, which represent stacks of atomic scale intrinsic Josephson junctions. A series of resonant dips in conductance is observed at condition when bremsstrahlung and recombination bands in nonequilibrium spectrum of Josephson junctions overlap. The phenomenon is explained in terms of self-detection of a new type of collective strongly nonequilibrium state in natural atomic superlattices, bearing certain resemblance with operation of a quantum cascade laser. Conclusions are supported by in situ generation-detection experiments and by numerical simulations.     

Step-like dependence of the magnetoresistance of a Josephson structure

The step-like dependence of the magnetoresistance observed when measuring a structure consisting of series-connected Josephson junctions and a film is investigated. Estimates show that the effect may be due to Abrikosov vortices entering stepwise into the film. They can influence the critical current of a Josephson junction under nonequilibrium and nonlocality conditions.     

The Relation Between Barrier Structure and Current Uniformity in YBCO Josephson Junctions

Electromagnetic transport measurements were combined with high-resolution electron microscopy observations to study the relation between structure and local critical currents in YBa₂Cu₃O_7–x (YBCO) Josephson junctions. The spatial variation of the critical current J(x) along the length of the boundary for interface engineered Josephson junctions and bicrystal grain boundary Josephson junctions was determined using a phase retrieval algorithm. The current distribution solutions were found to be highly uniform along the length of interface engineered junctions in contrast to solutions for grain boundary junctions. The latter showed significant spatial oscillations in the critical current as well as areas along the boundary that carried no current. Microstructural evaluation of interface engineered junctions fabricated using identical processing parameters to the junctions used for transport measurements suggest that the uniform current distribution is controlled by a highly uniform barrier layer formed between the superconducting electrodes. Microstructural evaluation of grain boundary junctions similar to the junctions used for transport measurements show considerable variations of the grain boundary structure within a single junction.     

Properties of superconductor–Luttinger-liquid hybrid systems

In this paper, we review some recent results concerning the physics of superconductor–Luttinger-liquid proximity systems. We discuss both equilibrium (the pair amplitude, Josephson current, and the local density of states) and nonequilibrium (the subgap current) properties.     

在一个磁通量子内dc Josephson电流的阶梯效应(Ⅰ)——双结SQUID

如果将由两个相同的Josephson结组成的双结SQUID放置于Q值足够高的谐振腔内,当其Josephson频率ω=2eV₀/h与谐振腔的本征频率ω_r发生谐振时,腔内就被激起一个驻波电磁场,这个场对两个结的反馈作用,将导致双结SQUID的dc Josephson电流在一个磁通量子内随磁场产生多次阶梯效应。理论给出两个结的Josephson电流产生一系列新的干涉作用:如果两个结分别位于反馈场的波峰,则阶跃电流加强;如果其中一个位于波谷,则使SQUID的干涉图形改变π/2位相,且两个结电流产生相干性减小;如果一个在波峰一个在波节,则SQUID退化到单结;如果两个结都在波节,则不出现n≠0的阶梯。 关键词：     

Josephson effect between p-wave superconductors with different orbital pairing symmetries

The Josephson effects in the ferromagnetic superconductor junctions of the equal spin pairing symmetry are investigated by a Furusaki–Tsukada-like formula. It is shown that the internal phase difference between the two different anisotropic superconductors plays an important role on the Josephson current. The current is predicted to be an oscillation function of the macroscopic phase difference with the period 2π, π, or π/2 depending on the different orbital pairing symmetries of the superconductors of the junction.     

Resonant effects in ballistic Josephson junctions

We study the Josephson effect in ballistic double-barrier SINIS planar junctions, consisting of bulk superconductors (S), a clean normal metal or semiconductor (N), and insulating interfaces (I) modeled as a δ-function potential-energy barriers. We solve the scattering problem based on the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations and derive a general expression for the dc Josephson current, valid for arbitrary interfacial transparency, the Fermi wave vectors mismatch, and for different effective band masses. The effect of transmission resonances on the Josephson current and on the normal conductance is analyzed for short junctions. Curvature of the temperature dependence of the critical Josephson current is related to the presence of resonances at the Fermi level and to the interfacial transparency. For thin semiconductor layers with negative effective masses of the carriers, finite interfacial transparency and large Fermi wave vectors mismatch we find that an unusual and significant enhancement of both the normal conductance and the critical Josephson current occurs at low temperatures due to the presence of an evanescent mode localized at interfaces.     

Radiation due to Josephson oscillations in layered superconductors

We derive the power of direct radiation into free space induced by Josephson oscillations in intrinsic Josephson junctions of layered superconductors. We consider the superradiation regime for a crystal cut in the form of a thin slice parallel to the c axis. We find that the radiation correction to the current-voltage characteristic in this regime depends only on crystal shape. We show that at a large number of junctions oscillations are synchronized providing high radiation power and efficiency in the terahertz frequency range. We discuss the crystal parameters and bias current optimal for radiation power and crystal cooling.     

Quantum oscillations of the nonequilibrium chemical potential in Josephson junctions

The problem of electron injection in Josephson junctions is considered theoretically. The effect of quantum oscillations of the chemical potential in a nonequilibrium Josephson junction is predicted. The oscillation spectrum is presented by a single Josephson mode if the transparency of the oxide barrier is not too high.     

Subharmonic gap structure in superconducting scanning tunneling microscope junctions

We observe a subharmonic gap structure (SGS) and the Josephson effect in superconducting scanning tunneling microscope junctions with resistances below 100 kΩ. The magnitude of the n=2 SGS is shown to scale with the square of the junction normal state conductance, in agreement with theory. We show by analyzing the Josephson effect in these junctions that the superconducting phase dynamics are strongly affected by thermal fluctuations. We estimate the linewidth of the Josephson oscillations due to phase fluctuations, a quantity that may be important in modern theories of the subgap structure. While phase fluctuations may smear the SGS current onsets, we conclude that the sharpness of these onsets in our data is not limited by fluctuations.     

Observation of high coherence in Josephson junction qubits measured in a three-dimensional circuit QED architecture

Superconducting quantum circuits based on Josephson junctions have made rapid progress in demonstrating quantum behavior and scalability. However, the future prospects ultimately depend upon the intrinsic coherence of Josephson junctions, and whether superconducting qubits can be adequately isolated from their environment. We introduce a new architecture for superconducting quantum circuits employing a three-dimensional resonator that suppresses qubit decoherence while maintaining sufficient coupling to the control signal. With the new architecture, we demonstrate that Josephson junction qubits are highly coherent, with T2 ～ 10 to 20 μs without the use of spin echo, and highly stable, showing no evidence for 1/f critical current noise. These results suggest that the overall quality of Josephson junctions in these qubits will allow error rates of a few 10(-4), approaching the error correction threshold.     

Probing the coherent transport through coupled quantum dots

We investigate the photoconductance through a double quantum dot or ‘artificial molecule’ induced by a broadband millimeter wave source. This source functions as a heterodyne interferometer, consisting of two nonlinear transmission lines generating harmonic output in the range of 2–400 GHz, and, being coherent, allows tracking of the induced current of the sample in both magnitude and phase. This enables us to monitor effects related to coherent electronic transport through these ‘artificial molecules’.     

Mesoscopic Josephson effect

In the classical Josephson effect the phase difference across the junction is well defined, and the supercurrent is reduced only weakly by phase diffusion. For mesoscopic junctions with small capacitance the phase undergoes large quantum fluctuations, and the current is also decreased by Coulomb blockade effects. We discuss the behavior of the current–voltage characteristics in a large range of parameters comprising the phase diffusion regime with coherent Josephson current as well as the supercurrent peak due to incoherent Cooper pair tunneling in the Coulomb blockade regime.     

New features in collective dynamics of intrinsic Josephson junctions

We discuss the breakpoint phenomenon, which reflects a resonance between Josephson and plasma oscillations in the system of coupled Josephson junctions. The resonance leads to the creation of the longitudinal plasma waves (LPW) at the breakpoint and to the oscillation dependence of the breakpoint current as a function of the dissipation and coupling parameters. A group behavior of the current-voltage characteristics (IVC) of the stacks with different number of junctions is predicted. Particularly, in the materials with dissipation parameter β=0.35 and coupling parameter α=3, we expect four groups of the IVC, which demonstrate a different character of changing of the breakpoint current with the number of junctions in the stack. Using the k-αβ-method, we find the values of the wave numbers k of the LPW and explain this group behavior of the IVC.     

Chaotic behavior of a stack of intrinsic Josephson junctions at the transition to branching for overcritical currents

Phase dynamics of a stack of coupled intrinsic Josephson junctions was investigated in the framework of capacitively coupled Josephson junctions with diffusion current model. We study the transition from the current-voltage characteristic specific to Josephson junctions arrays with small dissipation and weak coupling between the junctions to the arrays with strong coupling between the junctions and high dissipation. Low dissipative arrays of Josephson junctions are characterized by the absence of branching for overcritical currents which appears for highly dissipative arrays. Described branching appears due to charging on the superconducting layers and charge traveling waves generation. Arrays of Josephson junctions with intermediate values of coupling and dissipation parameters are characterized by the chaotic behavior, confirmed by positive Lyapunov exponent, and branching on the current voltage characteristic for both sub- and overcritical currents.     

Investigation of step-edge Josephson device of YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>7−<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis></Subscript> formed on MgO by a pulsed laser deposition method

We fabricated step-edge Josephson junctions of YBa₂Cu₃O_7−d on MgO substrates by a pulsed laser deposition method for high frequency applications. On the basis of temperature dependence of critical current, noticeable deterioration has not been observed in a step-edge area. The dynamic resistance was between 2 and 3Ω under the superconducting critical temperature. A deviation from a resistively shunted junction model was observed, which implies the excess current not flowing through Josephson junctions.