In this work I present theory, modeling, and experimentation demonstrating that the graphene-based Josephson junction (GJJ) is a capable system for the detection of single photons across the electromagnetic spectrum, from the microwave to the infrared. Two different detection mechanisms are exposed: 1) heating of the graphene weak link in the GJJ and 2) quasiparticle generation in the GJJ superconducting contacts. The first relies on graphene's exceptionally low heat capacity and its decoupled electron and phonon systems. I show in modeling that these thermal properties can lead to a GJJ photon detector for very low energy microwave photons. Experimentally, I show that a GJJ bolometer with its graphene weak link coupled to a microwave resonator can achieve an energy resolution equivalent to a single 32-GHz photon. The second detection mechanism reveals itself in the illumination of a GJJ with near-infrared light. I experimentally demonstrate single-photon detection in this system and show that the data is well fit by a model where photon-induced quasiparticles in the superconducting contacts cause the GJJ phase particle to escape. I give an overview of the single-photon, graphene, and Josephson-junction physics required to arrive at these results before presenting the experimental evidence for single-microwave-photon sensitivity and single-infrared-photon detection with the GJJ.In this work I present theory, modeling, and experimentation demonstrating that the graphene-based Josephson junction (GJJ) is a capable system for the detection of single photons across the electromagnetic spectrum, from the microwave to the infrared. Two different detection mechanisms are exposed: 1) heating of the graphene weak link in the GJJ and 2) quasiparticle generation in the GJJ superconducting contacts. The first relies on graphene's exceptionally low heat capacity and its decoupled electron and phonon systems. I show in modeling that these thermal properties can lead to a GJJ photon detector for very low energy microwave photons. Experimentally, I show that a GJJ bolometer with its graphene weak link coupled to a microwave resonator can achieve an energy resolution equivalent to a single 32-GHz photon. The second detection mechanism reveals itself in the illumination of a GJJ with near-infrared light. I experimentally demonstrate single-photon detection in this system and show that the data is well fit by a model where photon-induced quasiparticles in the superconducting contacts cause the GJJ phase particle to escape. I give an overview of the single-photon, graphene, and Josephson-junction physics required to arrive at these results before presenting the experimental evidence for single-microwave-photon sensitivity and single-infrared-photon detection with the GJJ.

Nov 23, 20200 citations

Detection of microwave radiation by end-type Josephson junctions

A. L. Gudkov, В. А. Ильин, V. N. Laptev +2 more

Pisma v Zhurnal Tekhnischeskoi FizikiMay 1, 19880 citations

Nonlinear microwave absorption in weak-link Josephson junctions

Lei Xie, Jarek Wosik, John C. Wolfe

A model, based on the resistively shunted junction theory, is developed and used to study microwave absorption in weak-link Josephson junctions in high- ${T}_{c}$ superconductors. Both linear and nonlinear cases of microwave absorption in Josephson junctions are analyzed. A comparison of the model with microwave absorption loop theory is presented along with a general condition for the applicability of both models. The nonlinear case was solved numerically and the threshold points of sharp microwave absorption are presented. At these points, a $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ phase quantization takes place within each microwave cycle, leading to an onset of a sharp rise of absorption. Existence of the $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ dynamic quantization is the key to the interpretation of nonlinear microwave absorption data. The nonlinear microwave absorption model is extended to the study of nonuniformly coupled junctions, and a general statement for the applicability of such a model is presented.A model, based on the resistively shunted junction theory, is developed and used to study microwave absorption in weak-link Josephson junctions in high-${T}_{c}$ superconductors. Both linear and nonlinear cases of microwave absorption in Josephson junctions are analyzed. A comparison of the model with microwave absorption loop theory is presented along with a general condition for the applicability of both models. The nonlinear case was solved numerically and the threshold points of sharp microwave absorption are presented. At these points, a $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ phase quantization takes place within each microwave cycle, leading to an onset of a sharp rise of absorption. Existence of the $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ dynamic quantization is the key to the interpretation of nonlinear microwave absorption data. The nonlinear microwave absorption model is extended to the study of nonuniformly coupled junctions, and a general statement for the applicability of such a model is presented.

Physical review. B, Condensed matterDec 1, 199621 citations

Detection of microwave radiation by a system of series-connected Josephson junctions

I. I. Yurchenko, V. S. Kartavtsev, V. I. Matveev +1 more

Soviet physics. Technical physicsApr 1, 19740 citations

A model, based on the resistively shunted junction theory, is developed and used to study microwave absorption in weak-link Josephson junctions in high-

{T}_{c}

superconductors. Both linear and nonlinear cases of microwave absorption in Josephson junctions are analyzed. A comparison of the model with microwave absorption loop theory is presented along with a general condition for the applicability of both models. The nonlinear case was solved numerically and the threshold points of sharp microwave absorption are presented. At these points, a $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ phase quantization takes place within each microwave cycle, leading to an onset of a sharp rise of absorption. Existence of the $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ dynamic quantization is the key to the interpretation of nonlinear microwave absorption data. The nonlinear microwave absorption model is extended to the study of nonuniformly coupled junctions, and a general statement for the applicability of such a model is presented.