Frequency-domain analysis of the periodically-forced Josephson-junction circuit

In this paper, a new frequency domain technique to analyze the Josephson-junction circuit dynamics is presented. This technique overcomes some of the limitations inherent to the analytical and time-integration techniques used in previous works. The technique can be extended to the analysis of this device when combined with distributed elements in microwave systems. It allows an efficient analysis of the different types of steady-state solutions and the bifurcation loci in the presence of a periodic driving current source. No restriction is imposed to the driving source amplitude, enabling an accurate analysis of the influence of this parameter on the device superconducting properties. The technique has also been applied to analyze the quasi-periodic states present in this device together with the synchronized solutions to the driving current source.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under Contract TEC2011-29264-C03-01

Metastability in a nano-bridge based hysteretic DC-SQUID embedded in superconducting microwave resonator

We study the metastable response of a highly hysteretic DC-SQUID made of a Niobium loop interrupted by two nano-bridges. We excite the SQUID with an alternating current and with direct magnetic flux, and find different stability zones forming diamond-like structures in the measured voltage across the SQUID. When such a SQUID is embedded in a transmission line resonator similar diamond structures are observed in the reflection pattern of the resonator. We have calculated the DC-SQUID stability diagram in the plane of the exciting control parameters, both analytically and numerically. In addition, we have obtained numerical simulations of the SQUID equations of motion, taking into account temperature variations and non-sinusoidal current-phase relation of the nano-bridges. Good agreement is found between experimental and theoretical results

Dynamical Instabilities and Deterministic Chaos in Ballistic Electron Motion in Semiconductor Superlattices

We consider the motion of ballistic electrons within a superlattice miniband under the influence of an alternating electric field. We show that the interaction of electrons with the self-consistent electromagnetic field generated by the electron current may lead to the transition from regular to chaotic dynamics. We estimate the conditions for the experimental observation of this deterministic chaos and discuss the similarities of the superlattice system with the other condensed matter and quantum optical systems.Comment: 6 pages, RevTEX; 4 fig

Analytical and Numerical Analysis of Linear and Nonlinear Properties of an rf-SQUID Based Metasurface

We derive a model to describe the interaction of an rf-SQUID (radio frequency superconducting quantum interference device) based metasurface with free space electromagnetic waves. The electromagnetic fields are described on the base of Maxwell's equations. For the rf-SQUID metasurface we rely on an equivalent circuit model. After a detailed derivation, we show that the problem that is described by a system of coupled differential equations is wellposed and, therefore, has a unique solution. In the small amplitude limit, we provide analytical expressions for reflection, transmission, and absorption depending on the frequency. To investigate the nonlinear regime, we numerically solve the system of coupled differential equations using a finite element scheme with transparent boundary conditions and the Crank-Nicolson method. We also provide a rigorous error analysis that shows convergence of the scheme at the expected rates. The simulation results for the adiabatic increase of either the field's amplitude or its frequency show that the metasurface's response in the nonlinear interaction regime exhibits bistable behavior both in transmission and reflection.Comment: published in Physical Review B, Phys. Rev. B 99, 07540

Towards single-electron metrology

We review the status of the understanding of single-electron transport (SET) devices with respect to their applicability in metrology. Their envisioned role as the basis of a high-precision electrical standard is outlined and is discussed in the context of other standards. The operation principles of single electron transistors, turnstiles and pumps are explained and the fundamental limits of these devices are discussed in detail. We describe the various physical mechanisms that influence the device uncertainty and review the analytical and numerical methods needed to calculate the intrinsic uncertainty and to optimise the fabrication and operation parameters. Recent experimental results are evaluated and compared with theoretical predictions. Although there are discrepancies between theory and experiments, the intrinsic uncertainty is already small enough to start preparing for the first SET-based metrological applications.Comment: 39 pages, 14 figures. Review paper to be published in International Journal of Modern Physics

Colloquium: Quantum and Classical Discrete Time Crystals

The spontaneous breaking of time translation symmetry has led to the discovery of a new phase of matter - the discrete time crystal. Discrete time crystals exhibit rigid subharmonic oscillations, which result from a combination of many-body interactions, collective synchronization, and ergodicity breaking. This Colloquium reviews recent theoretical and experimental advances in the study of quantum and classical discrete time crystals. We focus on the breaking of ergodicity as the key to discrete time crystals and the delaying of ergodicity as the source of numerous phenomena that share many of the properties of discrete time crystals, including the AC Josephson effect, coupled map lattices, and Faraday waves. Theoretically, there exists a diverse array of strategies to stabilize time crystalline order in both closed and open systems, ranging from localization and prethermalization to dissipation and error correction. Experimentally, many-body quantum simulators provide a natural platform for investigating signatures of time crystalline order; recent work utilizing trapped ions, solid-state spin systems, and superconducting qubits will be reviewed. Finally, this Colloquium concludes by describing outstanding challenges in the field and a vision for new directions on both the experimental and theoretical fronts.Comment: 29 pages, 13 figures; commissioned review for Reviews of Modern Physic

Influence of Bifurcation Structures Revealed by Refinement of a Nonlinear Conductance in JosephsonJunction Element

We conduct a bifurcation analysis of a single-junction superconducting quantum interferometer with an external flux. We approximate the current-voltage characteristics of the conductance in the equivalent circuit of the JJ by using two types of functions: a linear function and a piecewise linear (PWL) function. We describe a method to compute the local stability of the solution orbit and to solve the bifurcation problem. As a result, we reveal the bifurcation structure of the systems in a two-dimensional parameter plane. By making a comparison between the linear and PWL cases, we find a difference in the shapes of their bifurcation sets in the two-dimensional parameter plane even though there are no differences in the one-dimensional bifurcation diagrams or the trajectories. As for the influence of piecewise linearization, we discovered that grazing bifurcations terminate the calculation of the local bifurcations, because they drastically change the stability of the periodic orbit