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arXiv:1009.0064 · Physical Review Letters

Reentrance Effect in Macroscopic Quantum Tunneling and Nonadiabatic Josephson Dynamics in d -Wave Junctions

Jens Michelsen, Vitaly S. Shumeiko

Published Sep 16, 2010• 4 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We develop a theoretical description of nonadiabatic Josephson dynamics in superconducting junctions containing low energy quasiparticles. Within this approach we investigate the effects of midgap states in junctions of unconventional d-wave superconductors. We identify a reentrance effect in the transition between thermal activation and macroscopic quantum tunneling, and connect this phenomenon to the experimental observations in Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 087003 (2005). It is also shown that nonlinear Josephson dynamics can be defined by resonant interaction with midgap states reminiscent of nonlinear optical phenomena in media of two-level atoms.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.105.127001

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We develop a theoretical description of nonadiabatic Josephson dynamics in superconducting junctions containing low energy quasiparticles. Within this approach we investigate the effects of midgap states in junctions of unconventional d-wave superconductors. We identify a reentrance effect in the transition between thermal activation and macroscopic quantum tunneling, and connect this phenomenon to the experimental observations in Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 087003 (2005). It is also shown that nonlinear Josephson dynamics can be defined by resonant interaction with midgap states reminiscent of nonlinear optical phenomena in media of two-level atoms.
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We have theoretically investigated macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT) and the influence of nodal quasiparticles and zero energy bound states (ZESs) on MQT in sss-wave/ddd-wave hybrid Josephson junctions. In contrast to ddd-wave/ddd-wave junctions, the low-energy quasiparticle dissipation resulting from nodal quasiparticles and ZESs is suppressed due to a quasiparticle-tunneling blockade effect in an isotropic sss-wave superconductor. Therefore, the inherent dissipation in these junctions is found to be weak. We have also investigated MQT in a realistic sss-wave/ddd-wave (Nb∕Au∕YBCO)(\mathrm{Nb}∕\mathrm{Au}∕\mathrm{YBCO})(Nb∕Au∕YBCO) junction in which Ohmic dissipation in a shunt resistance is stronger than the inherent dissipation and find that MQT is observable within the current experimental technology. This result suggests the high potential of sss-wave/ddd-wave hybrid junctions for applications in quantum information devices.
We have theoretically investigated macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT) and the influence of nodal quasiparticles and zero energy bound states (ZES) on MQT in s-wave/d-wave hybrid Josephson junctions. In contrast to d-wave/d-wave junctions, the low-energy quasiparticle dissipation resulting from nodal quasiparticles and ZES is suppressed due to a quasiparticle-tunneling blockade effect in an isotropic s-wave superconductor. Therefore, the inherent dissipation in these junctions is found to be weak. This result suggests high potential of s-wave/d-wave hybrid junctions for applications in quantum information devices.
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The Josephson effect is a privileged access to the macroscopic quantum nature of superconductors. We review some ideas and experimental techniques on macroscopic quantum decay phenomena occurring in Josephson structures. The attention is mainly addressed to intermediate levels of dissipation which characterize a large majority of low critical current Josephson devices and are therefore an avoidable consequence of nanotechnology applied more and more to Josephson devices. Phase diffusion phenomena take over thermal activation in some temperature ranges also affecting the transition to macroscopic quantum tunneling, enriching the phase diagram mostly defined by the Josephson energy, the temperature and the level of dissipation.