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

European Solid-State Circuits Conference (ESSCIRC)

Operation of Strings of Single Flux-Quantum Memory Cells using Josephson Junctions

Pierre Guéret, Th. O. Mohr, A. Moser, Peter Wolf

Published Sep 1, 1977• 2 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

Experimental and theoretical investigations have been carried out on strings with 98 series-connected memory cells with Josephson junctions. The cells store binary information in single flux quanta. These strings can be considered as basic building blocks of a memory array. Our results indicate that such arrays are feasible electrically.

Related papers

Investigations for a Josephson Computer Main Memory with Single-Flux-Quantum Cells

Pierre Guéret, A. Moser, P. Wolf

The paper first summarizes requirements for a main memory with Josephson junctions and reviews the work carried out on an experimental main memory model containing an array of single-flux-quantum cells, line drivers, and address decoders with a total of nearly 4500 Josephson junctions. In the second part, theoretical and experimental investigations on the y drive system, including sense circuit, are presented. The investigations deal with both the read and write phases. Finally, the on-chip logic circuits and the address decoders are discussed, and the experimental results presented. Drivers and decoders based on the principle of current steering in superconducting loops are intended to be used on a fully populated main-memory chip.

IBM Journal of Research and Development•Mar 1, 1980•28 citations

Memories with Josephson Junctions

Peter Wolf

The talk is based on an overview which was published recently (1). For this reason, only an abstract is given here, which includes Later results not contained in the aforementioned overview. The presently-known Josephson memory cells store information as persistent currents in superconducting loops, or what is equivalent as a magnetic flux in the area of the ring. This method of storage is nonvolatile and has no power consumption in the storing state. In a superconducting ring system, the magnetic flux is quantized, and cells have been built which operate either with only one flux quantum, or with many of them. For the Latter cells with many flux quanta (ring cells), quite a number of designs exist. They have one or two Josephson junctions in the ring, which allow writing. An external junction which is controlled by the ring current serves for non-destructive reading of the information. The smallest cell realized had an area of 900 ?m2 with a 2 ?m minimum line width. Switching speed was ? 80 ps. Cells which store information as a single-flux quantum (single flux-quantum cells = SFQ cells) in the ring, usually contain two Josephson junctions used for reading and writing. Read-out in most of these cells is destructive, but methods of reading non-destructively have also been proposed. The smallest device made had an area of ? 150 ?m2 with a minimum line width of 2 ?m. The read signal had a rise time ? 100 ps.

European Solid-State Circuits Conference (ESSCIRC)•Sep 1, 1978•0 citations

Studies on arrays of Josephson tunnel junction interferometers

Ronald F. Broom, Theodor O. Mohr

Josephson-junction interferometers have previously been proposed as memory devices in which information is stored as a single flux quantum, (SFQ). To investigate the feasibility of making large arrays of SFQ cells suitable for the memory of a cryogenic computer, arrays containing 80 interferometers have been made and measured. The prime objective was to determine the distribution of the dc Josephson current i1 within the arays and to compare it with the design value required for successful operation of all cells in high density arrays. The results show that a substantial fraction of the arrays has standard deviations in i1 less than the maximum allowable, thus demonstrating for the first time that such a memory can be made with present technology. The fabrication, measurement technique and a detailed analysis of the current distributions on the arrays are presented.

Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology•May 1, 1978•8 citations

Single flux-quantum memory cells

Pierre Guéret, Th. O. Mohr, P. Wolf

Detailed investigations have been carried out on two-junction interferometers. These devices have potential as memory elements. Information is stored as single-flux quanta (SFQ cells) in overlapping vortex modes and is destructively read out by switching from a vortex to the voltage state. The devices are fabricated with a lead alloy and the junction oxide is formed by rf oxidation. Most investigations have been done on devices with an area of about 1000 μm2, but storage and reading have also been demonstrated in our smallest interferometers having a size of about 150 μm2. Computer studies of cell properties, especially of the vortex transitions, have given good agreement with experiments. It has also been found that the cell behavior is little affected by loads such as would exist in an array environment.

IEEE Transactions on Magnetics•Jan 1, 1977•28 citations

Memory cell operation based on small Josephson junctions arrays

Yehuda Y. Braiman, Niketh Nair, Jacob D. Rezac +1 more

Abstract In this paper we analyze a cryogenic memory cell circuit based on a small coupled array of Josephson junctions. All the basic memory operations (e.g., write, read, and reset) are implemented on the same circuit and different junctions in the array can in principle be utilized for these operations. The presented memory operation paradigm is fundamentally different from conventional single quantum flux operation logics (SFQ). As an example, we demonstrate memory operation driven by a SFQ pulse employing an inductively coupled array of three Josephson junctions. We have chosen realistic Josephson junction parameters based on state-of-the-art fabrication capabilities and have calculated access times and access energies for basic memory cell operations. We also implemented an optimization procedure based on the simulated annealing algorithm to calculate the optimized and typical values of access times and access energies.

Superconductor Science and Technology•Oct 14, 2016•11 citations

Single Josephson junction superconducting memory cell

James A. Blackburn, H. Smith

It is argued that a large-inductance superconducting loop interrupted by a single Josephson junction can function as a memory element. Bundles of flux quanta can be stored in the cell and removed from it by the application of appropriate bias currents or fields.

Electronics Letters•Aug 31, 1978•2 citations
The paper first summarizes requirements for a main memory with Josephson junctions and reviews the work carried out on an experimental main memory model containing an array of single-flux-quantum cells, line drivers, and address decoders with a total of nearly 4500 Josephson junctions. In the second part, theoretical and experimental investigations on the y drive system, including sense circuit, are presented. The investigations deal with both the read and write phases. Finally, the on-chip logic circuits and the address decoders are discussed, and the experimental results presented. Drivers and decoders based on the principle of current steering in superconducting loops are intended to be used on a fully populated main-memory chip.
The talk is based on an overview which was published recently (1). For this reason, only an abstract is given here, which includes Later results not contained in the aforementioned overview. The presently-known Josephson memory cells store information as persistent currents in superconducting loops, or what is equivalent as a magnetic flux in the area of the ring. This method of storage is nonvolatile and has no power consumption in the storing state. In a superconducting ring system, the magnetic flux is quantized, and cells have been built which operate either with only one flux quantum, or with many of them. For the Latter cells with many flux quanta (ring cells), quite a number of designs exist. They have one or two Josephson junctions in the ring, which allow writing. An external junction which is controlled by the ring current serves for non-destructive reading of the information. The smallest cell realized had an area of 900 ?m2 with a 2 ?m minimum line width. Switching speed was ? 80 ps. Cells which store information as a single-flux quantum (single flux-quantum cells = SFQ cells) in the ring, usually contain two Josephson junctions used for reading and writing. Read-out in most of these cells is destructive, but methods of reading non-destructively have also been proposed. The smallest device made had an area of ? 150 ?m2 with a minimum line width of 2 ?m. The read signal had a rise time ? 100 ps.
Josephson-junction interferometers have previously been proposed as memory devices in which information is stored as a single flux quantum, (SFQ). To investigate the feasibility of making large arrays of SFQ cells suitable for the memory of a cryogenic computer, arrays containing 80 interferometers have been made and measured. The prime objective was to determine the distribution of the dc Josephson current i1 within the arays and to compare it with the design value required for successful operation of all cells in high density arrays. The results show that a substantial fraction of the arrays has standard deviations in i1 less than the maximum allowable, thus demonstrating for the first time that such a memory can be made with present technology. The fabrication, measurement technique and a detailed analysis of the current distributions on the arrays are presented.
Detailed investigations have been carried out on two-junction interferometers. These devices have potential as memory elements. Information is stored as single-flux quanta (SFQ cells) in overlapping vortex modes and is destructively read out by switching from a vortex to the voltage state. The devices are fabricated with a lead alloy and the junction oxide is formed by rf oxidation. Most investigations have been done on devices with an area of about 1000 μm2, but storage and reading have also been demonstrated in our smallest interferometers having a size of about 150 μm2. Computer studies of cell properties, especially of the vortex transitions, have given good agreement with experiments. It has also been found that the cell behavior is little affected by loads such as would exist in an array environment.
Abstract In this paper we analyze a cryogenic memory cell circuit based on a small coupled array of Josephson junctions. All the basic memory operations (e.g., write, read, and reset) are implemented on the same circuit and different junctions in the array can in principle be utilized for these operations. The presented memory operation paradigm is fundamentally different from conventional single quantum flux operation logics (SFQ). As an example, we demonstrate memory operation driven by a SFQ pulse employing an inductively coupled array of three Josephson junctions. We have chosen realistic Josephson junction parameters based on state-of-the-art fabrication capabilities and have calculated access times and access energies for basic memory cell operations. We also implemented an optimization procedure based on the simulated annealing algorithm to calculate the optimized and typical values of access times and access energies.