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

Physical review. B, Condensed matter

Spectral linewidth of autonomous and injection-locked flux-flow oscillators

V. P. Koshelets, А. В. Щукин, I. L. Lapytskaya, J. Mygind

Published Mar 1, 1995• 43 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Oscillators based on unidirectional viscous flow of magnetic flux quanta in long Josephson tunnel junctions with high damping have been experimentally investigated by harmonic mixing and frequency multiplication at frequencies up to 450 GHz. An integral spectral linewidth of two flux-flow oscillators (FFO) as low as 750 kHz was found at 280 GHz. Presently no theory exists for the linewidth of the FFO. Above a few MHz the experimental linewidth scales with the square of the dynamic resistance of the dc I-V curve as found for short Josephson junctions and oscillators based on resonant motion of fluxons in under-damped long Josephson tunnel junctions. Based on calculations assuming wideband thermal noise, we find that the effective temperature of the FFO appears to be much higher than its physical temperature. Different models are discussed in order to explain this discrepancy. Finally harmonic phase locking of a FFO at 355 GHz is demonstrated.

DOI
10.1103/physrevb.51.6536

Related papers

Linewidth of submillimeter wave flux-flow oscillators

V. P. Koshelets, S. V. Shitov, А. В. Щукин +2 more

A reliable technique for wide band measurements of the spectral linewidth of superconducting oscillators integrated on-chip with superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) detectors has been developed. The spectral linewidth of flux-flow oscillators (FFO) based on the unidirectional and viscous flow of magnetic vortices in a long overdamped Josephson tunnel junction was measured in the frequency range 250–580 GHz, and a linewidth as low as 200 kHz was obtained at 450 GHz. Also stable frequency locking of a FFO to very high (≤60th) harmonics of an external microwave reference source has been demonstrated. The proposed technique may improve the sensitivity, frequency resolution, and stability of the fully superconducting integrated submillimeter wave receiver.

Applied Physics Letters•Jul 29, 1996•32 citations

Flux flow oscillators for sub-mm wave integrated receivers

V. P. Koshelets, S. V. Shitov, А. В. Щукин +7 more

The results of a detailed study of the microwave linewidth of Nb-AlO/sub x/-Nb flux flow oscillators (FFO) are presented. The dependence of the FFO linewidth on the junctions parameters has been measured by using an improved technique based on harmonic mixing in the frequency range 250-600 GHz. Experimental data are compared with theoretical estimates to evaluate the influence of the possible mechanisms responsible for the broadening of the FFO linewidth. The origins of the increased linewidth at the transition from the resonant to the "pure" flux-flow regime are discussed. The results of the linewidth measurements for the FFO locked to an external synthesizer via a wideband feedback loop are presented. The possibility of phase locking of the Josephson oscillator has been demonstrated experimentally. A FFO linewidth as low as 3.3 kHz (determined by the resolution bandwidth of the spectrum analyzer) has been measured at 310 GHz; it is far below the fundamental level given by shot and thermal noise of the free-running tunnel junction.

IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity•Jun 1, 1999•42 citations

Properties of autonomous and injection locked flux flow oscillators

J. Mygind, V. P. Koshelets, А. В. Щукин +2 more

Flux flow oscillators (FFO) have been experimentally investigated at frequencies up to 850 GHz. At 440 GHz the received power in an on-chip integrated SIS mixer is 5 /spl mu/W. The first experimental measurements of the FFO linewidth as a function of applied dc bias current and magnetic field have been performed both for two autonomous FFOs and with one of the FFOs injection-locked to a narrow-band external microwave source. By beating the two autonomous FFOs an integral spectral linewidth as low as 750 kHz is measured at 280 GHz. Mechanisms leading to a broadening of the FFO linewidth are discussed. Experimentally it is shown that the FFO can be used as harmonic generator.>

IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity•Jun 1, 1995•22 citations

Phase locking of 270-440 GHz Josephson flux flow oscillators

J. Mygind, V. P. Koshelets, S. V. Shitov +5 more

External phase locking of a Josephson flux flow oscillator (FFO) to a 10 MHz reference oscillator is demonstrated experimentally in the frequency range 270-440 GHz. A linewidth as low as 1 Hz (as determined by the resolution bandwidth of the spectrum analyser) has been measured. This linewidth is far below the fundamental level given by shot and thermal noise of the free-running tunnel junction. The combination of narrow linewidth, wide band tunability and low noise is important for spectral radio astronomy applications.

Superconductor Science and Technology•Nov 1, 1999•9 citations

Self-pumping effects and radiation linewidth of Josephson flux-flow oscillators

V. P. Koshelets, S. V. Shitov, А. В. Щукин +3 more

Flux-flow oscillators (FFO's) are being developed for integration with a SIS mixer for use in submillimeter wave receivers. The present work contains a detailed experimental study of the dc, microwave, and noise properties of ${\mathrm{N}\mathrm{b}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{A}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{O}}_{x}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Nb}$ FFO's. A model based on the Josephson self-pumping effect is proposed for an explanation of the experimental current-voltage characteristics. A reliable technique based on harmonic mixing is used to determine the spectral linewidth of the radiation emitted by the integrated FFO's up to 600 GHz. Comprehensive measurements of the dependence of the linewidth on the dynamic resistance and the applied magnetic field have been performed. In the resonant regime a linewidth as small as 200 kHz is obtained at 450 GHz. The experimental data are compared with recent theoretical predictions.

Physical review. B, Condensed matter•Sep 1, 1997•100 citations

Phase locked 270–440 GHz local oscillator based on flux flow in long Josephson tunnel junctions

V. P. Koshelets, S. V. Shitov, Lyudmila V. Filippenko +5 more

The combination of narrow linewidth and wide band tunability makes the Josephson flux flow oscillator (FFO) a perfect on-chip local oscillator for integrated sub-mm wave receivers for, e.g., spectral radio astronomy. The feasibility of phase locking the FFO to an external reference oscillator is demonstrated experimentally. A FFO linewidth as low as 1 Hz (determined by the resolution bandwidth of the spectrum analyzer) has been measured in the frequency range 270–440 GHz relative to a reference oscillator. This linewidth is far below the fundamental level given by shot and thermal noise of the free-running tunnel junction. The results of residual FFO phase noise measurements are also presented. Finally, we propose a single-chip fully superconductive receiver with two superconductor–insulator–superconductor mixers and an integrated phase-locked loop.

Review of Scientific Instruments•Jan 1, 2000•38 citations
Oscillators based on unidirectional viscous flow of magnetic flux quanta in long Josephson tunnel junctions with high damping have been experimentally investigated by harmonic mixing and frequency multiplication at frequencies up to 450 GHz. An integral spectral linewidth of two flux-flow oscillators (FFO) as low as 750 kHz was found at 280 GHz. Presently no theory exists for the linewidth of the FFO. Above a few MHz the experimental linewidth scales with the square of the dynamic resistance of the dc I-V curve as found for short Josephson junctions and oscillators based on resonant motion of fluxons in under-damped long Josephson tunnel junctions. Based on calculations assuming wideband thermal noise, we find that the effective temperature of the FFO appears to be much higher than its physical temperature. Different models are discussed in order to explain this discrepancy. Finally harmonic phase locking of a FFO at 355 GHz is demonstrated.
A reliable technique for wide band measurements of the spectral linewidth of superconducting oscillators integrated on-chip with superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) detectors has been developed. The spectral linewidth of flux-flow oscillators (FFO) based on the unidirectional and viscous flow of magnetic vortices in a long overdamped Josephson tunnel junction was measured in the frequency range 250–580 GHz, and a linewidth as low as 200 kHz was obtained at 450 GHz. Also stable frequency locking of a FFO to very high (≤60th) harmonics of an external microwave reference source has been demonstrated. The proposed technique may improve the sensitivity, frequency resolution, and stability of the fully superconducting integrated submillimeter wave receiver.
The results of a detailed study of the microwave linewidth of Nb-AlO/sub x/-Nb flux flow oscillators (FFO) are presented. The dependence of the FFO linewidth on the junctions parameters has been measured by using an improved technique based on harmonic mixing in the frequency range 250-600 GHz. Experimental data are compared with theoretical estimates to evaluate the influence of the possible mechanisms responsible for the broadening of the FFO linewidth. The origins of the increased linewidth at the transition from the resonant to the "pure" flux-flow regime are discussed. The results of the linewidth measurements for the FFO locked to an external synthesizer via a wideband feedback loop are presented. The possibility of phase locking of the Josephson oscillator has been demonstrated experimentally. A FFO linewidth as low as 3.3 kHz (determined by the resolution bandwidth of the spectrum analyzer) has been measured at 310 GHz; it is far below the fundamental level given by shot and thermal noise of the free-running tunnel junction.
Flux flow oscillators (FFO) have been experimentally investigated at frequencies up to 850 GHz. At 440 GHz the received power in an on-chip integrated SIS mixer is 5 /spl mu/W. The first experimental measurements of the FFO linewidth as a function of applied dc bias current and magnetic field have been performed both for two autonomous FFOs and with one of the FFOs injection-locked to a narrow-band external microwave source. By beating the two autonomous FFOs an integral spectral linewidth as low as 750 kHz is measured at 280 GHz. Mechanisms leading to a broadening of the FFO linewidth are discussed. Experimentally it is shown that the FFO can be used as harmonic generator.>
External phase locking of a Josephson flux flow oscillator (FFO) to a 10 MHz reference oscillator is demonstrated experimentally in the frequency range 270-440 GHz. A linewidth as low as 1 Hz (as determined by the resolution bandwidth of the spectrum analyser) has been measured. This linewidth is far below the fundamental level given by shot and thermal noise of the free-running tunnel junction. The combination of narrow linewidth, wide band tunability and low noise is important for spectral radio astronomy applications.
Flux-flow oscillators (FFO's) are being developed for integration with a SIS mixer for use in submillimeter wave receivers. The present work contains a detailed experimental study of the dc, microwave, and noise properties of ${\mathrm{N}\mathrm{b}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{A}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{O}}_{x}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Nb}$ FFO's. A model based on the Josephson self-pumping effect is proposed for an explanation of the experimental current-voltage characteristics. A reliable technique based on harmonic mixing is used to determine the spectral linewidth of the radiation emitted by the integrated FFO's up to 600 GHz. Comprehensive measurements of the dependence of the linewidth on the dynamic resistance and the applied magnetic field have been performed. In the resonant regime a linewidth as small as 200 kHz is obtained at 450 GHz. The experimental data are compared with recent theoretical predictions.
The combination of narrow linewidth and wide band tunability makes the Josephson flux flow oscillator (FFO) a perfect on-chip local oscillator for integrated sub-mm wave receivers for, e.g., spectral radio astronomy. The feasibility of phase locking the FFO to an external reference oscillator is demonstrated experimentally. A FFO linewidth as low as 1 Hz (determined by the resolution bandwidth of the spectrum analyzer) has been measured in the frequency range 270–440 GHz relative to a reference oscillator. This linewidth is far below the fundamental level given by shot and thermal noise of the free-running tunnel junction. The results of residual FFO phase noise measurements are also presented. Finally, we propose a single-chip fully superconductive receiver with two superconductor–insulator–superconductor mixers and an integrated phase-locked loop.