Thermally induced 0-pi phase transition in Josephson junctions through a ferromagnetic oxide film

We investigate the Josephson transport through a ferromagnetic oxide film, e.g., La$_2$BaCuO$_5$, theoretically. Using the recursive Green's function technique, we found the formation of a pi-junction in such systems. Moreover the 0-pi phase transition is induced by increasing the temperature. Such ferromagnetic-oxide based Josephson junctions may become an element in the architecture of future quantum computers.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Effect of d-f hybridization on the Josephson current through Eu-chalcogenides

A superconducting ring with a pi junction made from superconductor/ferromagnetic-metal/superconductor (S-FM-S) exhibits a spontaneous current without an external magnetic field in the ground state. Such pi ring provides so-called quiet qubit that can be efficiently decoupled from the fluctuation of the external field. However, the usage of the FM gives rise to strong Ohmic dissipation. Therefore, the realization of pi junctions without FM is expected for qubit applications. We theoretically consider the possibility of the pi coupling for S/Eu-chalcogenides/S junctions based on the d-f Hamiltonian. By use of the Green's function method we found that pi junction can be formed in the case of the finite d-f hybridization between the conduction d and the localized f electrons.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Tunneling Hamiltonian description of the atomic-scale 0-pi transition in superconductor/ferromagnetic-insulator junctions

We show a perturbation theory of the Josephson transport through ferromagnetic insulators (FIs). Recently we have found that the appearance of the atomic scale 0-pi transition in such junctions based on numerical calculations. In order to explore the mechanism of this anomalous transition, we have analytically calculated the Josephson current using the tunneling Hamiltonian theory and found that the spin dependent pi-phase shift in the FI barrier gives the atomic scale 0-pi transition.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, to appear in Physica

e+e−→bbˉudˉμ−νˉμe^+e^- \to b \bar{b} u \bar{d} \mu^- \bar{\nu}_\mu with a ttˉt\bar{t} production

The cross section of $e^+e^- \to b \bar{b} u \bar{d} \mu^- \bar{\nu}_\mu$ process with a complete set of tree diagrams, 232 diagrams in the unitary gauge, was calculated at the energy range of $\sqrt{s}$ = 340 - 500 GeV by using GRACE system. A main contribution to the cross section comes from $t\bar{t}$ production, where $t$ and $\bar{t}$ decay into $bu\bar{d}$ and $\bar{b} \mu^- \bar{\nu}_{\mu}$, respectively. It was found that the interference between the diagrams with $t\bar{t}$ production and those with single-$t$ through $WW$ pair production amounts to 10% at the $t \bar{t}$ threshold energy region. In the energy region above twice of the top quark mass, more than 95% of the cross section comes from the $t\bar{t}$ diagrams.Comment: 17 pages, 8 PostScript figures, LateX; To appear in Phys. Lett.

Possible observation of energy level quantization in an intrinsic Josephson junction

Energy level quantization (ELQ) is studied to clarify the macroscopic quantum dynamics of the d-wave Josephson junction (JJ). The influences of the nodal quasiparticles of d-wave superconductivity on the damping effect are numerically evaluated on the basis of a phenomenological model. The calculation, based on realistic parameters for a Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+d (Bi2212) intrinsic JJ, shows that the observation of ELQ is possible when the sweep rate of the bias current exceeds 10 A/sec. High-sweep- rate measurements (121A/sec) performed on a Bi2212 intrinsic JJ result in the appearance of multiple peaks in the switching current distribution suggesting the realization of ELQ in the d-wave JJ.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Optical I-band Linear Polarimetry of the Magnetar 4U 0142+61 with Subaru

The magnetar 4U~0142+61 has been well studied at optical and infrared wavelengths and is known to have a complicated broad-band spectrum over the wavelength range. Here we report the result from our linear imaging polarimetry of the magnetar at optical $I$-band. From the polarimetric observation carried out with the 8.2-m Subaru telescope, we determine the degree of linear polarization $P=1.0\pm$3.4\%, or $P\leq$5.6\% (90\% confidence level). Considering models suggested for optical emission from magnetars, we discuss the implications of our result. The upper limit measurement indicates that different from radio pulsars, magnetars probably would not have strongly polarized optical emission if the emission arises from their magnetosphere as suggested.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication on Ap