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Physical review. B, Condensed matter

Information-theoretical approach to Josephson tunneling

J. Aliaga, Hilda A. Cerdeira, Araceli N. Proto, D. Otero

Published Sep 1, 1989• 4 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A simplified Hamiltonian model of pair tunneling between two weakly coupled superconductors is used to obtain the ac Josephson current. A closed operator algebra is defined through commutation with the Hamiltonian. With the use of information theory, we find a subalgebra (quasi-angular-momentum operators) that allows us to obtain naturally the dependence of the Josephson current on the phase, as well as a geometric interpretation of the phase. The quasi-spin algebra permits us to find a consistent solution for the imbalance of charge without resorting to further constraints.

DOI
10.1103/physrevb.40.4375

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A simplified Hamiltonian model of pair tunneling between two weakly coupled superconductors is used to obtain the ac Josephson current. A closed operator algebra is defined through commutation with the Hamiltonian. With the use of information theory, we find a subalgebra (quasi-angular-momentum operators) that allows us to obtain naturally the dependence of the Josephson current on the phase, as well as a geometric interpretation of the phase. The quasi-spin algebra permits us to find a consistent solution for the imbalance of charge without resorting to further constraints.
Abstract We consider a specific instance of a superconducting circuit, the so-called charge-qubit, consisting of a capacitor and a Josephson junction that we describe by means of the BCS microscopic model in terms of two tunnelling superconducting systems in the strong-coupling quasi-spin formulation. Then, by means of collective observables we derive the Hamiltonian governing the quantum behaviour of the circuit in the limit of a large numberNof quasi-spins. Our approach relies on suitablequantum fluctuations, i.e. on collective quasi-spin operators, different from mean-field observables, that retain a quantum character in the large-Nlimit. These collective operators generate the Heisenberg algebra on the circle and we show that their dynamics reproduces the phenomenological one generated by the charge qubit Hamiltonian obtained by quantizing the macroscopic classical Hamiltonian of the circuit. The microscopic derivation of the emergent, large-Nbehaviour provides a rigorous setting to investigate more in detail both general quantum circuits and quantum macroscopic scenarios; in particular, in the specific case of charge-qubits, it allows to explicitly obtain the temperature dependence of the critical Josephson current in the strong coupling regime, a result not accessible using standard approximation techniques.
Properties of weak links between two superconductors, or Josephson junctions, make them interesting for fundamental physics research. Since their discovery over four decades ago, they have provided a unique way to study the behavior of the superconducting quantum phase. More recently, ultra small, or mesoscopic, Josephson junctions with substantial single Cooper pair charging energy have gained interest due to their behavior as macroscopic quantum objects. In addition to the theoretical interest, Josephson junctions can be used as active elements in circuit applications. Particularly, in this Thesis we study two different devices. We develop the required theoretical treatments, derive device properties, and compare the results with experimental data. The first application is a Josephson voltage standard based on externally damped Superconductor - Insulator - Superconductor junctions. It consists of an array of large Josephson junctions connected in series and irradiated with a 70 GHz microwave signal. Phase locking the Josephson dynamics into the signal leads to the quantization of the voltage. This is utilized in metrology. We introduce a new circuit solution based on frequency dependent damping of the junctions. Optimization and some designs for practical arrays are presented. The purpose is to find such a design that the array is fast, has low power consumption and is as stable as possible. Arrays able to generate DC voltages of order 1 volt with metrological accuracy are demonstrated experimentally and their applicability in AC voltage calibrations is analyzed. The second application is the Bloch Oscillating Transistor (BOT). The BOT is based on controlling the Cooper pair current in an ultra small Josephson junction by means of quasiparticles tunneling through a normal junction. As part of the thesis work, the principle of operation is first demonstrated computationally. The model is then refined to yield quantitative predictions of the characteristics. Finally, an analytic theory for the device is developed and the properties as an amplifier are derived.
We calculate both the dc and the ac Josephson current through a one-dimensional system of interacting electrons, connected to two superconductors by tunnel junctions. We treat the (repulsive) Coulomb interaction in the framework of the one-channel, spin-1/2 Luttinger model. The Josephson current is obtained for two geometries of experimental relevance: a quantum wire and a ring. At zero temperature, the critical current is found to decay algebraically with increasing distance d between the junctions. The decay is characterized by an exponent which depends on the strength of the interaction. At finite temperatures T, lower than the superconducting transition temperature Tc{\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}Tc​, there is a crossover from algebraic to exponential decay of the critical current as a function of d, at a distance of the order of \ensuremath{\Elzxh}vF{\mathit{v}}_{\mathit{F}}vF​/kBT{\mathit{k}}_{\mathit{BT}}kBT​. Moreover, the dependence of critical current on temperature shows nonmonotonic behavior. If the Luttinger liquid is confined to a ring of circumference L, coupled capacitively to a gate voltage and threaded by a magnetic flux, the Josephson current shows remarkable parity effects under the variation of these parameters. For some values of the gate voltage and applied flux, the ring acts as a \ensuremath{\pi} junction. These features are robust against thermal fluctuations up to temperatures on the order of \ensuremath{\Elzxh}vF{\mathit{v}}_{\mathit{F}}vF​/kBL{\mathit{k}}_{\mathit{BL}}kBL​. For the wire geometry, we have also studied the ac-Josephson effect. The amplitude and the phase of the time-dependent Josephson current are affected by electron-electron interactions. Specifically, the amplitude shows pronounced oscillations as a function of the bias voltage due to the difference between the velocities of spin and charge excitations in the Luttinger liquid. Therefore, the ac-Josephson effect can be used as a tool for the observation of spin-charge separation. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Abstract We derive analytic solutions for the tunneling dynamics of two weakly coupled finite BCS–condensates. Pairing interaction between the finite–size condensates is taken into account. Using particle–number dependent chemical potentials the time–dependent transfer of Cooper pairs is obtained from a phenomenological calculation. The results of this theory are compared to a microscopic calculation within the quasispin formulation in its semiclassical limit. In both cases the tunneling current can be mapped onto the motion of a simple pendulum: The results are analogous to the Josephson current between two superconductors and can be used as a starting point to include quantum fluctuations and Josephson radiation.
An investigation is made of the extent to which harmonicoscillator coherent states can bc used to describe superconductivity and Joscphson tunneling phenomena. Recent work has utilized angularmomentum commutation relations for operators that create and annihilate pairs in a Josephson device. This formalism utilizes certain approximations in obtaining angular-momentum commutation rules for the superconducting tunnel junction. We apply the coupled harmonicoscillator approach due to Schwinger to regain angular-momentum commutation relations.
Based on a tunneling Hamiltonian description, we calculate the Josephson, normal, and interference currents between two Bose-Einstein condensates described by the Bogoliubov theory. The dominant Josephson term is of first order in the tunneling with a critical current density proportional to the ground state pressure. In contrast to superconductors, the normal current remains finite at zero temperature. We discuss the dynamics of the relative phase in a semiclassical approximation derived from an exact functional integral approach, which includes the interaction effects at fixed total particle number. It is shown that the normal current leads to a damping of the Josephson oscillations and, at long times, eliminates the macroscopic quantum self-trapping predicted by Smerzi et al. Finally, we give estimates for an experimental realization of Josephson tunneling in cold atomic gases, which indicate that coherent transfer of atoms might be realized with a 23Na{}^{23}\mathrm{Na}23Na condensate.