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IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity

High T/sub c/ superconducting step-edge junctions and their properties in millimeter-wave band

Yijun Feng, L. Kang, X. B. Wang, Shuzhen Yang, Jianping Zuo, H.B. Wang, Weiwei Xu, Qilin Cheng, Pan Wu, S.L. Yan, Lei Zhou

Published Jun 1, 1995• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

Superconducting step-edge junctions were fabricated on step-edges in (100) LaAlO/sub 3/ substrates by sputter-deposited epitaxial YBaCuO and TlBaCaCuO thin films. The substrate steps were patterned by ion beam etching using metal film as a mask. The transport properties of the junctions were characterized by four-probe electrical measurements. The critical current-normal resistance product (I/sub c/R/sub N/) was larger than 0.2 mV (77 K) for most of the junctions. Clear Shapiro steps were observed in the current-voltage characteristics of the junctions with 36 GHz or 95 GHz millimeter-wave irradiation. The high frequency properties of these high T/sub c/ Josephson junctions showed that they were quite suitable for the Josephson harmonic mixer used in the digital phase locked millimeter and sub-millimeter wave sources.>

DOI
10.1109/77.403172

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•Jan 1, 1995•0 citations
Superconducting step-edge junctions were fabricated on step-edges in (100) LaAlO/sub 3/ substrates by sputter-deposited epitaxial YBaCuO and TlBaCaCuO thin films. The substrate steps were patterned by ion beam etching using metal film as a mask. The transport properties of the junctions were characterized by four-probe electrical measurements. The critical current-normal resistance product (I/sub c/R/sub N/) was larger than 0.2 mV (77 K) for most of the junctions. Clear Shapiro steps were observed in the current-voltage characteristics of the junctions with 36 GHz or 95 GHz millimeter-wave irradiation. The high frequency properties of these high T/sub c/ Josephson junctions showed that they were quite suitable for the Josephson harmonic mixer used in the digital phase locked millimeter and sub-millimeter wave sources.>
We have investigated both DC and AC Josephson effects of the YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub y/ (YBCO) thin film step-edge junctions; single step-edge junction on LaAlO/sub 3/ substrate with the step angle about 50-60/spl deg/ and biepitaxial double step-edge junction made on MgO substrate with a CeO/sub 2/ seed layer. The Josephson self-radiation was directly detected using the total power radiometer receiver systems with receiving frequencies of K band (21-23 GHz) and millimeter-wave (46-48 GHz and 71-73 GHz) range, respectively. For single step-edge junctions, the Josephson self-radiation peaks exhibited at the voltages corresponding to the basic Josephson voltage-frequency relation. The maximum first-harmonic self-radiation power at receiving frequency f/sub REC/=72 GHz and Josephson linewidth were P(I)=2.0/spl times/10/sup -3/W and /spl Delta/f=3.62 GHz at 4.2 K, respectively. For microwave irradiation, the harmonic Shapiro steps and additional half integer steps with their quasi-periodic variation satisfying the Josephson equation V=(n/m)(hf/2e) were clearly observed. For double step-edge junctions, we also observed the steps corresponding to the two junction boundaries on the two steep steps. These behaviors described with different current-phase relations corresponding to the crystal orientation relationship between the two junction boundaries.>
We have fabricated YBCO step-edge Josephson junctions and measured the responses to millimeter and submillimeter irradiation. In the substrate milling process for the purpose of fabricating the step, the step angle was controlled using a Nb metal mask. At a step angle of 20 degrees, we obtained Josephson junctions, the characteristics of which are consistent with the RSJ model. We estimated the capacitance to be 4.4 fF using the RSJ model, but such a value for an 8 /spl mu/m wide and 300 nm thick junction seems too small. When the junctions were irradiated by 300 GHz radiation, Shapiro steps up to the 4th were observed. The junctions were used as mixers in the 100 GHz band, and as harmonic mixers in the 100 GHz LO and 700 GHz RF bands. Beat signals were observed in both cases. We also estimated the quasi-optical conversion losses of the step-edge junctions as mixers.>
Current-voltage characteristics and microwave mixing properties of step-edge microbridge Josephson junctions (SEJJs) made of YBaCuO thin films were systematically investigated. The step-edge was formed on the surface of a MgO(100) substrate employing the common photolithograph and wet-etching techniques. YBaCuO thin film was deposited by the off-axis sputtering method, and the microbridge junctions were fabricated so as to cross the step-edge. The SEJJs showed typical DC and AC characteristics which were explained by the resistively shunted junction (RSJ) model. Mixing experiments were carried out in the K-band microwave region. An intermediate frequency (IF) output with the frequency range of 20 MHz∼2.0 GHz was successfully obtained.
Current-voltage characteristics and microwave mixing properties of step-edge microbridge Josephson junctions (SEJJs) made of YBaCuO thin films were systematically investigated. The step-edge was formed on the surface of a MgO(100) substrate employing the common photolithograph and wet-etching techniques. YBaCuO thin film was deposited by the off-axis sputtering method, and the microbridge junctions were fabricated so as to cross the step-edge. The SEJJs showed typical DC and AC characteristics which were explained by the resistively shunted junction (RSJ) model. Mixing experiments were carried out in the K-band microwave region. An intermediate frequency (IF) output with the frequency range of 20 MHz~2.0 GHz was successfully obtained.
We have fabricated step edge superconductor-normal metal-superconductor microbridges using YBa2Cu3O7−x(YBCO) and noble metals with critical current-normal resistance (IcRN) products as high as 10 mV and normal resistances up to 38 Ω. Our fabrication process achieves high values of the IcRN product by exploiting the anisotropy in the properties of epitaxial YBCO films, allowing contact only between normal metal and superconductor through the crystalline axes which support the largest Josephson coupling. This results in a dramatic increase in the normal resistance of a junction without decreasing its critical current. We discuss the role of the superconductor-normal metal boundary resistance on the junction electrical properties. We have coupled submillimeter wave rf currents quasioptically into junctions integrated at the feeds of noble metal planar log periodic antennas and have induced up to 7 Shapiro steps in the current-voltage characteristics with a 760 GHz beam from a far infrared laser.
We have fabricated YBCO step-edge Josephson junctions and measured the responses to the millimeter and submillimeter irradiation. In the substrate milling process for the purpose of fabricat- ing the step, the step angle was controlled using a Nb metal mask. At a step angle of 20 degrees, we obtained Josephson junctions, the characteristics of which are consistent with the RSJ model. We estimated the ca- pacitance to be 4.4 fF using the RSJ model, but such a value for an 8 pm wide and 300 nm thick junction seems too small. When the junctions were irradiated by 300 GHz, Shapiro steps up to the 4th were ob- served. The junctions were used as mixers in the 100 GHz band, and as harmonic mixers in the 100 GHz LO and 700 GHz RF bands. Beat signals were observed in both cases. We also estimated the quasi-optical con- version losses of the stepedge junctions as mixers.