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Applied Physics Letters

Underdamped long Josephson junction coupled to overdamped single-flux-quantum circuits

Y. M. Zhang, V. Borzenets, V. K. Kaplunenko, Noshir Dubash

Published Sep 29, 1997• 12 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We report a circuit that integrates an underdamped long Josephson junction with overdamped single-flux-quantum (SFQ) circuits. We confirm that the resonant soliton modes in the long junction are not affected by SFQ cells coupled to the junction, and demonstrate that the radiation frequency and linewidth of the soliton resonances can be measured with SFQ T-flip-flops. Our experimental results also show that a 4π quantum mechanical phase leap at the end of the long junction, which is due to the reflection of a soliton, creates two single flux quanta propagating in the overdamped Josephson transmission line.

DOI
10.1063/1.119423

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We report a circuit that integrates an underdamped long Josephson junction with overdamped single-flux-quantum (SFQ) circuits. We confirm that the resonant soliton modes in the long junction are not affected by SFQ cells coupled to the junction, and demonstrate that the radiation frequency and linewidth of the soliton resonances can be measured with SFQ T-flip-flops. Our experimental results also show that a 4π quantum mechanical phase leap at the end of the long junction, which is due to the reflection of a soliton, creates two single flux quanta propagating in the overdamped Josephson transmission line.
By combining a long Josephson junction (LJJ) with single-flux-quantum (SFQ) circuits, new digital applications for long junctions can be explored. To fully investigate the dynamics of the hybrid LJJ/SFQ circuits, a numerical model was developed for an unshunted long junction coupled to shunted SFQ Josephson transmission line (JTL) through superconducting strips. The model is based on a one-dimensional array of Josephson junctions that is described by a set of discrete sine-Gordon equations. Simulations support our experimental observation that the first zero-field step can exist when the LJJ is terminated by SFQ elements. The influences on the first zero-field step by the self-inductance, the critical current, and the shunt resistance of JTL cells are studied in detail. Simulation also confirms that each 4/spl pi/ phase leap at the end of the long junction creates two separated SFQ pulses after several overdamped JTL cells.
We propose and demonstrate the functioning of a special Rapid Single Flux Quantum (RSFQ) circuit with frequency-dependent damping. This damping is achieved by shunting individual Josephson junctions by pieces of open-ended RC transmission lines. Our circuit includes a toggle flip-flop cell, Josephson transmission lines transferring single flux quantum pulses to and from this cell, as well as DC/SFQ and SFQ/DC converters. Due to the desired frequency-dispersion in the RC line shunts which ensures sufficiently low noise at low frequencies, such circuits are well-suited for integrating with the flux/phase Josephson qubit and enable its efficient control.
We demonstrated interface circuits between a half-flux-quantum (HFQ) circuit and a rapid single-flux-quantum (RSFQ) circuit to obtain SFQ/HFQ and HFQ/SFQ converters. These converters were created by simply inserting a resistor between an RSFQ circuit and the adjacent HFQ circuit, where both circuits are based on pulse logic. These converters enable us to create combinatory circuits that make the best use of the features of the two circuits. Using a DC/SFQ, SFQ/HFQ, HFQ/SFQ, and SFQ/DC converter, we measure an HFQ Josephson transmission line (JTL) composed of eight 0-0-π superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs), which are the essential elements of an HFQ circuit. The 0-0-π SQUIDs are composed of two conventional Josephson junctions and a π-shifted ferromagnetic junction. The HFQ JTL demonstrated in this study is driven by a bias current 11-fold lower than that of a similar RSFQ JTL. These experimental results indicate that the HFQ circuit requires power that is two or more orders of magnitude lower than that of an RSFQ circuit.
We have simulated fluxon propagation within a Josephson transmission line that is one of the elements of a rapid single flux quantum (RSFQ) circuit. This line is a parallel connection of damped Josephson junctions coupled by superconducting inductances. Geometries with and without mutual inductances between neighboring cells are considered. If the time interval between two fluxons is less than 0.3 φ0Vc−1 (Vc characteristic voltage) a repulsion between them was observed. The repulsion sets a specific time delay between the fluxons that impose a rigid limitation for high frequency performance of RSFQ logic. The delay depends on the shunting parameter, bias current, and values of interconnecting inductances.
We report on the functionality of a Nb-based superconducting single flux quantum (SFQ) toggle flip-flop (TFF) circuit, comprising a complementary superconductor–ferromagnet–superconductor (SFS) Josephson π-junction. The SFS junction was used as a phase shifting element inserted in the storage loop of the TFF. The fabricated circuits demonstrated correct functionality with the operation parameter ranges of ± 20%. The application of SFS π-junctions makes the SFQ circuits very compact, may substantially improve their stability, and may also be suitable for integration with Josephson quantum circuits (qubits).
We present a technique for linewidth measurement and phase-locking of Josephson oscillators using digital rapid single-flux-quantum (RSFQ) circuits. The oscillator consists of a resistively shunted 6 /spl mu/m/spl times/6 /spl mu/m Nb/AlO/sub x//Nb Josephson tunnel junction that is integrated with RSFQ input and output circuits. A cascade of RSFQ T flip-flops is used to directly monitor the output of the Josephson oscillator. Spectral characteristics have been measured directly for oscillator frequencies ranging from 10-50 GHz. The linewidth can be reduced by over 100 times by phase-locking the oscillator to an RSFQ pulse train generated by an external sinusoidal signal. These Josephson oscillators can be used as on-chip stable high frequency clocks for RSFQ circuits.