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Superconductor Science and Technology

Millimetre and sub-mm wavelength radiation sources based on discrete Josephson junction arrays

Marian Darula, T. Doderer, S. Beuven

Published Jan 1, 1999• 102 citations

Abstract

This paper reviews the present status and future perspectives of discrete Josephson junction arrays for applications as sub-mm wavelength radiation sources. It is intended to cover the whole field, i.e. theory, fabrication and experimental results. The theoretical part reviews the fundamental aspects of Josephson junctions for oscillator applications and introduces the different possible array types. The recent results of analytical as well as numerical investigations are discussed. After the description of the fabrication of both low- as well as high- superconductor Josephson junctions and arrays, methods to investigate the array dynamics experimentally are mentioned. Finally, the recent experimental results are reviewed. This topic is divided into two parts, the first dealing with low- arrays, the second with high- arrays. The different possibilities to design arrays and to include them in practical applications are discussed and compared, with special emphasis on those experiments where radiation was generated successfully. The article is completed with a discussion of the most important experimental results.

DOI: 10.1088/0953-2048/12/1/001

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Josephson arrays are suitable for applications involving mm waves. Realizations of such systems typically involve structures that are large compared to the wavelength. Though many such systems are well established, there has been a shortage of generic modeling techniques, which would be simple enough for practical engineering, while quantitative. In this paper we apply the model we have recently developed to some device examples. We calculate the available output power of an array of unshunted SIS junctions. We also discuss the impact of power generation effects in Josephson voltage standards. We also extend the model to include partial synchronization. The analytic results are compared to simulated and experimental data.

Josephson junction arrays could be competitive candidates for radiation sources in the frequency range from 0.5 to 1.5 THz. This is the range where compact solid-state continuous wave sources are most lacking. We investigated the millimeter-wave radiation from arrays of high-temperature superconductor bicrystal Josephson junctions embedded in a quasi-optical resonator. The novel approach of utilizing the intrinsic resonance modes of the substrate to improve the impedance coupling between the series array of discrete Josephson junctions and the quasi-optical resonator was investigated by experiments and electromagnetic field simulations. Radiation from the arrays containing up to 536 junctions was detected at about 80 GHz and liquid nitrogen temperature using a low-noise receiver. The detected maximum radiation power of the arrays was about 50 pW and the peak voltage agreed exactly with the Josephson current–voltage relation.

High temperature superconducting Josephson arrays were investigated as possible millimeter wave sources. A junction technology was selected and improved to the point where radiation, near 1 microwatt off-chip, was measured from a variety of 2-dimensional arrays in the 70-160 GHz range. The arrays were tunable and were successfully coupled to a number of antennas for broadband, tunable transmission. Antennas for a variety of specific applications were selected on the basis of bandwidth requirements, impedance levels, polarization, and the possibility of sufficient monolithic integration. The final part of the program was a study of potential subsystems that would utilize these arrays. Interchip communications transceivers were studied and interchip coupling was demonstrated using two antenna-coupled arrays. The most promising application may be a monolithic clock source, near 100 GHz, for communications and signal processing systems. Josephson arrays, mm-wave sources.

Arrays of phase locked Josephson junctions are attractive for use as sub-mm wavelength voltage controlled oscillators for heterodyne mixers and free space radiators. We have performed phase locking experiments on 40 junction, parallel biased arrays of Josephson junctions coupled through transmission lines of varying delays. The longest junction to junction delay implemented was 5.4 ps for a design frequency of 90 GHz, while the shortest was 1.45 ps, for a design frequency of 345 GHz. The resonant frequency f/sub 0/ of the arrays was found to be almost independent of the transmission line delay with f/sub 0/, scaling with the plasma frequency for arrays fabricated at critical current densities of 10/sup 3/ and 4.5/spl times/10/sup 3/A/cm/sup 2/. The data indicate that at the resonant frequency, strong phase locking is present among the junctions for junction separations significantly less than one half wavelength even in arrays many wavelengths long.>