The current phase relation in Josephson tunnel junctions

The J(?) relation in SFIFS, SNINS, and SIS tunnel junctions is studied. A method for the analytical solution of linearized Usadel equations has been developed and applied to these structures. It is shown that the Josephson current across the structure has a sum of sin? and sin2? components. Two different physical mechanisms are responsible for the sign of sin2?. The first one is the depairing by current, which contributes positively to the sin2? term, while the second one is the finite transparency of SF or SN interfaces, which provides the negative contribution. In SFIFS junctions, where the first harmonic vanishes at the 0-π transition, the calculated second harmonic fully determines the J(?) curve.