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

Journal of Applied Physics

Design and Operation of Stable rf-Biased Superconducting Point-Contact Quantum Devices, and a Note on the Properties of Perfectly Clean Metal Contacts

James Edward Zimmerman, Paul Thiene, John T. Harding

Published Mar 15, 1970• 394 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Point-contact devices are described which have exhibited long-term stability and reliability. A particular mode of operation of the devices as rf-biased low-frequency detectors is described in detail, including a description of how the device drives a resonant circuit to which it is coupled. In this mode of operation the sensitivity of the devices to low-frequency fields is of the order of 10−9 G per root cycle bandwidth. Perfectly clean contacts were made by breaking a notched niobium member at 4.2°K and then remaking contact at the break. Quantum behavior of such contacts is identical to that of ordinary contacts, but effects of microscopic multiple connections at the contact were not observed.

DOI
10.1063/1.1659074

Related papers

Design and operation of stable rf-biased superconducting point-contact quantum device, and a note on the properties of perfectly clean metal contacts

Je Zimmermen

•Jan 1, 1970•0 citations

An Adjustable rf-Biased SQUID

D. M. Strayer, R. M. Catchings, Tom Oversluizen +1 more

A symmetric rf-biased point-contact superconducting quantum interference device, which can be adjusted while in operation at low temperatures, is described. The device retains the inherent stability and other features of the symmetric rf-biased SQUID while increasing its flexibility, reliability, and even convenience with a simple adjustment feature.

Review of Scientific Instruments•Sep 1, 1973•0 citations

A High-Sensitivity Superconducting Detector

James Edward Zimmerman, Arnold H. Silver

Weakly connected superconductors can function as very low power sensors by utilizing the coherence properties of superconductors. One configuration which has produced significant success incorporates a superconducting point contact and a small resistance element in a low-inductance superconducting circuit. When the critical supercurrent (ic) of the point contact is of the order of φ0/L, (φ0=h/2e, L=inductance of the ring), that circuit exhibits coherent quantum behavior. Used as a parametric amplifier, it has been used to measure ultralow voltages, limited by the thermal noise fluctuations in the resistance element R. The voltage sensitivity is approximated by 8kTR/φ0, where k is Boltzmann's constant and T the absolute temperature of the resistance R. We have measured 4×10−16 V across 1.7×10−10 Ω at 4.2°K with a signal-to-noise ratio approaching 10. The operation of this sensor follows from the Josephson oscillation of voltage-biased superconducting point contacts. A dc voltage V0 across the resistance of the circuit produces an oscillating current at the angular frequency ωJ=2πV0/φ0 and an oscillating voltage across the point contact at ωJ. Upon supplying an rf or microwave current at frequency ωD, the point contact mixes ωJ and ωD. Using a homodyne detector at ωD of bandwidth larger than ωJ, we can retrieve the oscillation at ωJ. Direct measurement of this frequency ωJ yields V0. Such superconducting circuits may be useful as cryogenic thermometers, as thermal radiation sensors, and in low-level spectroscopy.

Journal of Applied Physics•May 1, 1968•40 citations

Investigation and reduction of excess low-frequency noise in rf superconducting quantum interference devices

Michael Mück, Christoph Heiden, John L. Clarke

A detailed study has been made of the low-frequency excess noise of rf superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs), fabricated from thin niobium films and operated at 4.2 K, with rf bias frequencies of 0.15, 1.7, and 3 GHz. When the SQUIDs were operated in an open-loop configuration in the absence of low-frequency flux modulation, the demodulated rf voltage exhibited a substantial level 1/f noise, which was essentially independent of the rf bias frequency. As the rf bias frequency was increased, the crossover frequency at which the 1/f noise power was equal to the white noise power moved to higher frequencies, because of the reduction in white noise. On the other hand, when the SQUID was flux modulated at 50 kHz and operated in a flux locked loop, no 1/f noise was observed at frequencies above 0.5 Hz. A detailed description of how the combination of rf bias and flux modulation removes 1/f noise due to critical current fluctuations is given. Thus, the results demonstrate that the 1/f noise observed in these SQUIDs is generated by critical current fluctuations, rather than by the hopping of flux vortices in the niobium films.

Journal of Applied Physics•May 1, 1994•26 citations

Analysis of the current-voltage characteristic of the rf SQUID

Philippe Lethuillier

The electrical equations of a resonant circuit fed with a radio-frequency current and inductively coupled to a weakly superconducting loop have been derived. The current-voltage characteristic of the rf superconducting quantum interference device can then be calculated and studied as a function of the junction resistance or of the resonance frequency, enabling its behavior to be better understood. As shown by Kurkijärvi, the large positive slope of the steps and the rounding of the characteristic result from thermal noise. However, in order to explain quantitatively the experimental results concerning, namely, point contact weak links which are generally oxidized or which have several contact points, it is useful to remark that the connection between the two superconductors constituting the Josephson junction may be made from n resistive paths. The mean thermal energy of the fluctuating flux is then close to nkbT instead of kbT if the inductances linking the contact points are large enough, that is, on the order of 10−11 H.

Journal of Applied Physics•Jun 1, 1993•0 citations

Efficient Higher Harmonic Generation in Current-Biased “Clean” Superconducting Point Contact

Yoshikazu Hayashi, Tatsuji Kato, Hideo Ogawa +2 more

Spectral analyses are carried out on the strong RF (1.2-1.4 GHz) voltage fluctuations associated with the sudden onset of DC voltage near the critical current in a "clean" superconducting point contact. The strong RF voltage is concluded to arise from the remarkably efficient frequency conversion effects of weak external low-frequency (below 100 MHz) interference. Strong higher harmonics of intentionally-applied signals of about 250 and 90 MHz are observed up to 2 GHz. The mechanism of efficient harmonic generation is discussed briefly.

Japanese Journal of Applied Physics•Nov 1, 1980•1 citation
Point-contact devices are described which have exhibited long-term stability and reliability. A particular mode of operation of the devices as rf-biased low-frequency detectors is described in detail, including a description of how the device drives a resonant circuit to which it is coupled. In this mode of operation the sensitivity of the devices to low-frequency fields is of the order of 10−9 G per root cycle bandwidth. Perfectly clean contacts were made by breaking a notched niobium member at 4.2°K and then remaking contact at the break. Quantum behavior of such contacts is identical to that of ordinary contacts, but effects of microscopic multiple connections at the contact were not observed.
Weakly connected superconductors can function as very low power sensors by utilizing the coherence properties of superconductors. One configuration which has produced significant success incorporates a superconducting point contact and a small resistance element in a low-inductance superconducting circuit. When the critical supercurrent (ic) of the point contact is of the order of φ0/L, (φ0=h/2e, L=inductance of the ring), that circuit exhibits coherent quantum behavior. Used as a parametric amplifier, it has been used to measure ultralow voltages, limited by the thermal noise fluctuations in the resistance element R. The voltage sensitivity is approximated by 8kTR/φ0, where k is Boltzmann's constant and T the absolute temperature of the resistance R. We have measured 4×10−16 V across 1.7×10−10 Ω at 4.2°K with a signal-to-noise ratio approaching 10. The operation of this sensor follows from the Josephson oscillation of voltage-biased superconducting point contacts. A dc voltage V0 across the resistance of the circuit produces an oscillating current at the angular frequency ωJ=2πV0/φ0 and an oscillating voltage across the point contact at ωJ. Upon supplying an rf or microwave current at frequency ωD, the point contact mixes ωJ and ωD. Using a homodyne detector at ωD of bandwidth larger than ωJ, we can retrieve the oscillation at ωJ. Direct measurement of this frequency ωJ yields V0. Such superconducting circuits may be useful as cryogenic thermometers, as thermal radiation sensors, and in low-level spectroscopy.
A detailed study has been made of the low-frequency excess noise of rf superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs), fabricated from thin niobium films and operated at 4.2 K, with rf bias frequencies of 0.15, 1.7, and 3 GHz. When the SQUIDs were operated in an open-loop configuration in the absence of low-frequency flux modulation, the demodulated rf voltage exhibited a substantial level 1/f noise, which was essentially independent of the rf bias frequency. As the rf bias frequency was increased, the crossover frequency at which the 1/f noise power was equal to the white noise power moved to higher frequencies, because of the reduction in white noise. On the other hand, when the SQUID was flux modulated at 50 kHz and operated in a flux locked loop, no 1/f noise was observed at frequencies above 0.5 Hz. A detailed description of how the combination of rf bias and flux modulation removes 1/f noise due to critical current fluctuations is given. Thus, the results demonstrate that the 1/f noise observed in these SQUIDs is generated by critical current fluctuations, rather than by the hopping of flux vortices in the niobium films.
The electrical equations of a resonant circuit fed with a radio-frequency current and inductively coupled to a weakly superconducting loop have been derived. The current-voltage characteristic of the rf superconducting quantum interference device can then be calculated and studied as a function of the junction resistance or of the resonance frequency, enabling its behavior to be better understood. As shown by Kurkijärvi, the large positive slope of the steps and the rounding of the characteristic result from thermal noise. However, in order to explain quantitatively the experimental results concerning, namely, point contact weak links which are generally oxidized or which have several contact points, it is useful to remark that the connection between the two superconductors constituting the Josephson junction may be made from n resistive paths. The mean thermal energy of the fluctuating flux is then close to nkbT instead of kbT if the inductances linking the contact points are large enough, that is, on the order of 10−11 H.
Spectral analyses are carried out on the strong RF (1.2-1.4 GHz) voltage fluctuations associated with the sudden onset of DC voltage near the critical current in a "clean" superconducting point contact. The strong RF voltage is concluded to arise from the remarkably efficient frequency conversion effects of weak external low-frequency (below 100 MHz) interference. Strong higher harmonics of intentionally-applied signals of about 250 and 90 MHz are observed up to 2 GHz. The mechanism of efficient harmonic generation is discussed briefly.