Directed motion of vortices in a current-driven Josephson junction network

Dynamics of directed motion of vortices in a Josephson junction network (JJN) with a ladder structure is studied using a numerical simulation. By applying spatial and temporal modulation of external bias currents, directed motion of vortices occurs in the absence of a ratchet-type asymmetric potential. In the present system, the asymmetry of the directed motion emerges as a dynamical effect due to the modulated bias current. Some dynamical effects such as mode-locking and vortex–antivortex excitation are relevant to the directed dynamics. We clarify the details of the directed motion of vortices in the JJN.