Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1807.07720 · Physical review. B./Physical review. B

Elimination of thermal bistability in superconducting weak links by an inductive shunt

Sourav Biswas, Clemens B. Winkelmann, H. Courtois, Thierry Dauxois, Hillol Biswas, Anjan Kumar Gupta

Published Jan 2, 2020• 4 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

The quantum phase-coherent behavior of superconducting weak links (WLs) is often quenched in the finite voltage state, due to the heat dissipation and related thermal hysteresis. The latter can be reduced by improving heat evacuation and/or by lowering the critical current so a phase-dynamic regime is obtained, albeit over a narrow bias-current and temperature range. Here we demonstrate that an inductive shunt with well-chosen parameters introduces unexpected nonlinear dynamics that destabilize an otherwise stable fixed point in the dissipative branch. This leads to a nonhysteretic behavior with large voltage oscillations in intrinsically hysteretic WL-based micron-size superconducting quantum interference devices. A dynamic thermal model quantitatively describes our observations and further allows us to elaborate on the optimal shunting conditions.

DOI
10.1103/physrevb.101.024501

Related papers

Elimination of thermal hysteresis with large V-Phi transduction in mu-SQUIDs by inductive shunt

Sourav Biswas, Clemens B. Winkelmann, H. Courtois +2 more

Micron-size superconducting quantum interference devices ($\mu$-SQUIDs) are highly-sensitive magnetic flux sensors where the critical current or the voltage is modulated by the magnetic flux. The so-called voltage read-out mode is nevertheless often hindered by thermal hysteresis. $\mu$-SQUIDs with improved thermal evacuation and small critical current can feature a phase-dynamic regime over a narrow bias-current and temperature range. Guided by a dynamic thermal model, we could widen these current and temperature ranges by using a shunt resistor. A significant increase in these ranges and, more strikingly, in the voltage oscillations magnitude is observed when the shunt is made of an adequate inductance in series with the resistor. An increase in inductance above a threshold value leads to relaxation oscillations in voltage. The large voltage modulation thus obtained offers an improved flux resolution in the voltage read-out mode down to 1.3 K.

•Aug 17, 2018•0 citations

Reversibility Of Superconducting Nb Weak Links Driven By The Proximity Effect In A Quantum Interference Device

Nikhil Kumar, T. Fournier, H. Courtois +2 more

We demonstrate the role of the proximity effect in the thermal hysteresis of superconducting constrictions. From the analysis of successive thermal instabilities in the transport characteristics of micron-size superconducting quantum interference devices with a well-controlled geometry, we obtain a complete picture of the different thermal regimes. These determine whether or not the junctions are hysteretic. Below the superconductor critical temperature, the critical current switches from a classical weak-link behavior to one driven by the proximity effect. The associated small amplitude of the critical current makes it robust with respect to the heat generation by phase slips, leading to a nonhysteretic behavior.

arXiv:1411.7196•Physical Review Letters•Apr 17, 2015•28 citations

Stability of thermally bistable states and their switching in superconducting weak link

Sourav Biswas, Pankaj Wahi, Anjan Kumar Gupta

Superconducting weak link (WL), acting as a Josephson junction (JJ), is one of the widely used elements in superconductor science and quantum circuits. A hysteretic JJ with robust switching between its superconducting and resistive state is an excellent candidate for single-photon detection. However, the ubiquitous fluctuations in the junction strongly influence the stability of the states and, thus, the transition from one to the other. Here, we present an experimental study of switching statistics of critical and retrapping currents of a JJ based on niobium WL in its hysteretic regime. The mean lifetimes of the two metastable states, namely, the zero-voltage superconducting state and finite-voltage resistive state, are estimated from the distributions. Further, close to the hysteresis crossover temperature, observed telegraphic noise in the time domain due to random switching between the states provides their lifetimes directly. We present a thermal model introducing a double-well (bistable) feature with an intriguing quantity with respect to the devices’ temperature states. The effects of temperature fluctuations on the stability of the states are shown. We discuss our results toward further improvement of the efficiency of superconducting WL or nanowire single-photon detectors.

arXiv:2210.04538•Journal of Applied Physics•Oct 10, 2022•1 citation

Existence of Shapiro Steps in the Dissipative Regime in Superconducting Weak Links

Connor D. Shelly, Patrick See, Ivan Rungger +1 more

We present measurements of microwave-induced Shapiro steps in a superconducting nanobridge weak link in the dissipative branch of a hysteretic current-voltage characteristic. We demonstrate that Shapiro steps can be used to infer a reduced critical current and an associated local temperature. Our observation of Shapiro steps in the dissipative branch shows that a finite Josephson coupling exists in the dissipative state. Although the nanobridge is heated, our model shows that the temperature remains below the critical temperature. This work provides evidence that Josephson behavior can still exist in thermally hysteretic weak-link devices and will allow extension of the temperature range over which nanobridge-based single-flux-quantum circuits, micron-sized superconducting quantum interference devices (i.e., nanoSQUIDs), and Josephson voltage standards can be used.

arXiv:1806.10420•Physical Review Applied•Feb 26, 2020•20 citations

Effect of constriction width on hysteresis in superconducting weak links and micro-SQUIDs

Nikhil Kumar, Bharat Kumar Gupta, Anjan Kumar Gupta

We have fabricated and characterized niobium film based superconducting weak link (WL) devices and micron-size superconducting quantum interference devices (µ-SQUIDs) with superconducting WLs as Josephson Junctions. Here we discuss the effect of WL width on the hysteresis and crossover temperature (Th) while keeping the other dimensions fixed. We find that the critical current reduces linearly with the width and thus Th reduces with decreasing width. This makes some of the devices non-hysteretic down to 1.3K. We also discuss the observed excess current in the current-voltage characteristics of these devices, in terms of Andreev reflection.

AIP conference proceedings•Jan 1, 2021•0 citations

Fabrication and characterization of shunted μ-SQUID

Nikhil Kumar, T. Fournier, H. Courtois +1 more

In order to eliminate hysteresis, we have fabricated and characterized niobium based shunted micron size superconducting quantum interference devices (μ-SQUIDs). We find a wide temperature range where these μ-SQUIDs are non-hysteretic in nature and show a very good Ic vs. B oscillations in hysteretic regime and V vs. B oscillations in non-hysteretic regime. Here we report the characteristics of a shunted- μ-SQUID (Wf38LS72D5). In this device we have achieved a large voltage modulation, in non-hysteretic regime, at various temperatures including such as 1.1 mV at 6.62 K with a transfer function VΦ = 7.2mV/Φ0.The figures within the original article PDF file, as supplied to AIP Publishing, were affected by a PDF-processing error. Consequently, the article re-flowed and pagination increased from 3 to 4 pages. This article was updated on 14 May 2014 to correct the PDF-processing error, with the scientific content remaining unchanged. Readers are advised that the replacement article PDF file contains an additional blank page to preserve the original pagination.

AIP conference proceedings•Jan 1, 2014•2 citations
The quantum phase-coherent behavior of superconducting weak links (WLs) is often quenched in the finite voltage state, due to the heat dissipation and related thermal hysteresis. The latter can be reduced by improving heat evacuation and/or by lowering the critical current so a phase-dynamic regime is obtained, albeit over a narrow bias-current and temperature range. Here we demonstrate that an inductive shunt with well-chosen parameters introduces unexpected nonlinear dynamics that destabilize an otherwise stable fixed point in the dissipative branch. This leads to a nonhysteretic behavior with large voltage oscillations in intrinsically hysteretic WL-based micron-size superconducting quantum interference devices. A dynamic thermal model quantitatively describes our observations and further allows us to elaborate on the optimal shunting conditions.
Micron-size superconducting quantum interference devices (μ\muμ-SQUIDs) are highly-sensitive magnetic flux sensors where the critical current or the voltage is modulated by the magnetic flux. The so-called voltage read-out mode is nevertheless often hindered by thermal hysteresis. μ\muμ-SQUIDs with improved thermal evacuation and small critical current can feature a phase-dynamic regime over a narrow bias-current and temperature range. Guided by a dynamic thermal model, we could widen these current and temperature ranges by using a shunt resistor. A significant increase in these ranges and, more strikingly, in the voltage oscillations magnitude is observed when the shunt is made of an adequate inductance in series with the resistor. An increase in inductance above a threshold value leads to relaxation oscillations in voltage. The large voltage modulation thus obtained offers an improved flux resolution in the voltage read-out mode down to 1.3 K.
We demonstrate the role of the proximity effect in the thermal hysteresis of superconducting constrictions. From the analysis of successive thermal instabilities in the transport characteristics of micron-size superconducting quantum interference devices with a well-controlled geometry, we obtain a complete picture of the different thermal regimes. These determine whether or not the junctions are hysteretic. Below the superconductor critical temperature, the critical current switches from a classical weak-link behavior to one driven by the proximity effect. The associated small amplitude of the critical current makes it robust with respect to the heat generation by phase slips, leading to a nonhysteretic behavior.
Superconducting weak link (WL), acting as a Josephson junction (JJ), is one of the widely used elements in superconductor science and quantum circuits. A hysteretic JJ with robust switching between its superconducting and resistive state is an excellent candidate for single-photon detection. However, the ubiquitous fluctuations in the junction strongly influence the stability of the states and, thus, the transition from one to the other. Here, we present an experimental study of switching statistics of critical and retrapping currents of a JJ based on niobium WL in its hysteretic regime. The mean lifetimes of the two metastable states, namely, the zero-voltage superconducting state and finite-voltage resistive state, are estimated from the distributions. Further, close to the hysteresis crossover temperature, observed telegraphic noise in the time domain due to random switching between the states provides their lifetimes directly. We present a thermal model introducing a double-well (bistable) feature with an intriguing quantity with respect to the devices’ temperature states. The effects of temperature fluctuations on the stability of the states are shown. We discuss our results toward further improvement of the efficiency of superconducting WL or nanowire single-photon detectors.
We present measurements of microwave-induced Shapiro steps in a superconducting nanobridge weak link in the dissipative branch of a hysteretic current-voltage characteristic. We demonstrate that Shapiro steps can be used to infer a reduced critical current and an associated local temperature. Our observation of Shapiro steps in the dissipative branch shows that a finite Josephson coupling exists in the dissipative state. Although the nanobridge is heated, our model shows that the temperature remains below the critical temperature. This work provides evidence that Josephson behavior can still exist in thermally hysteretic weak-link devices and will allow extension of the temperature range over which nanobridge-based single-flux-quantum circuits, micron-sized superconducting quantum interference devices (i.e., nanoSQUIDs), and Josephson voltage standards can be used.
We have fabricated and characterized niobium film based superconducting weak link (WL) devices and micron-size superconducting quantum interference devices (µ-SQUIDs) with superconducting WLs as Josephson Junctions. Here we discuss the effect of WL width on the hysteresis and crossover temperature (Th) while keeping the other dimensions fixed. We find that the critical current reduces linearly with the width and thus Th reduces with decreasing width. This makes some of the devices non-hysteretic down to 1.3K. We also discuss the observed excess current in the current-voltage characteristics of these devices, in terms of Andreev reflection.
In order to eliminate hysteresis, we have fabricated and characterized niobium based shunted micron size superconducting quantum interference devices (μ-SQUIDs). We find a wide temperature range where these μ-SQUIDs are non-hysteretic in nature and show a very good Ic vs. B oscillations in hysteretic regime and V vs. B oscillations in non-hysteretic regime. Here we report the characteristics of a shunted- μ-SQUID (Wf38LS72D5). In this device we have achieved a large voltage modulation, in non-hysteretic regime, at various temperatures including such as 1.1 mV at 6.62 K with a transfer function VΦ = 7.2mV/Φ0.The figures within the original article PDF file, as supplied to AIP Publishing, were affected by a PDF-processing error. Consequently, the article re-flowed and pagination increased from 3 to 4 pages. This article was updated on 14 May 2014 to correct the PDF-processing error, with the scientific content remaining unchanged. Readers are advised that the replacement article PDF file contains an additional blank page to preserve the original pagination.