53 research outputs found
Quantum chaos in an ultrastrongly coupled bosonic junction
The semiclassical and quantum dynamics of two ultrastrongly coupled nonlinear resonators cannot be explained using the discrete nonlinear Schrödinger equation or the Bose-Hubbard model, respectively. Instead, a model beyond the rotating wave approximation must be studied. In the semiclassical limit this model is not integrable and becomes chaotic for a finite window of parameters. For the quantum dimer we find corresponding regions of stability and chaos. The more striking consequence for both semiclassical and quantum chaos is that the tunneling time between the sites becomes unpredictable. These results, including the transition to chaos, can be tested in experiments with superconducting microwave resonators
Thermal depinning of fluxons in ratchet discrete Josephson rings
We study numerically the thermal depinning of single fluxons in ratchet Josephson junction rings. Rings are made of 9 junctions with 3 different critical currents. We present results for a wide range of the main physical parameters of the system: damping, coupling and temperature. The computed results can be well understood in the framework of single particle thermal activation theories
Active polymer translocation in the three-dimensional domain
In this work we study the translocation process of a polymer through a nanochannel where a time dependent force is acting. Two conceptually different types of driving are used: a deterministic sinusoidal one and a random telegraph noise force. The mean translocation time presents interesting resonant minima as a function of the frequency of the external driving. For the computed sizes, the translocation time scales with the polymer length according to a power law with the same exponent for almost all the frequencies of the two driving forces. The dependence of the translocation time with the polymer rigidity, which accounts for the persistence length of the molecule, shows a different low frequency dependence for the two drivings
Nucleation and detachment of polystyrene nanoparticles from plowing-induced surface wrinkling
We report the formation of spherical particles (up to 250 nm in diameter) from polystyrene surfaces repeatedly scratched by atomic force microscopy nanotips (nominal radius < 10 nm) along a series of parallel lines. The particles nucleate from the crests of the ripple profiles formed in the beginning of the scratch process. They are subsequently detached and progressively displaced by the tip across the ripples till the edge of the scanned area, where they pile up without coalescing. The detachment occurs smoothly without static friction peaks, suggesting that the particles are torn off as a result of a crazing mechanism induced by the tip when it is pushed against the ripple crests. Considering the negative impact of nanoplastics on the environment and human health, and the absence of established methodologies for a quantitative analysis of these processes at the level of single particles, our results will help to promote systematic characterization of plowing wear on different polymeric materials and different environmental conditions. © 2021 The Author(s
Lateral vibration effects in atomic-scale friction
The influence of lateral vibrations on the stick-slip motion of a nanotip elastically pulled on a flat crystal surface is studied by atomic force microscopy measurements on a NaCl(001) surface in ultra-high vacuum. The slippage of the nanotip across the crystal lattice is anticipated at increasing driving amplitude, similarly to what is observed in presence of normal vibrations. This lowers the average friction force, as explained by the Prandtl-Tomlinson model with lateral vibrations superimposed at finite temperature. Nevertheless, the peak values of the lateral force, and the total energy losses, are expected to increase with the excitation amplitude, which may limit the practical relevance of this effect
Magnetic field induced control of breather dynamics in a single plaquette of Josephson junctions
We present a theoretical study of inhomogeneous dynamic (resistive) states in
a single plaquette consisting of three Josephson junctions. Resonant
interactions of such a breather state with electromagnetic oscillations
manifest themselves by resonant current steps and voltage jumps in the
current-voltage characteristics. An externally applied magnetic field leads to
a variation of the relative shift between the Josephson current oscillations of
two resistive junctions. By making use of the rotation wave approximation
analysis and direct numerical simulations we show that this effect allows to
effectively control the breather instabilities, e. g. to increase (decrease)
the height of the resonant steps and to suppress the voltage jumps in the
current-voltage characteristics.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Spontaneous creation of discrete breathers in Josephson arrays
We report on the experimental generation of discrete breather states
(intrinsic localized modes) in frustrated Josephson arrays. Our experiments
indicate the formation of discrete breathers during the transition from the
static to the dynamic (whirling) system state, induced by a uniform external
current. Moreover, spatially extended resonant states, driven by a uniform
current, are observed to evolve into localized breather states. Experiments
were performed on single Josephson plaquettes as well as open-ended Josephson
ladders with 10 and 20 cells. We interpret the breather formation as the result
of the penetration of vortices into the system.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure
Experimental Critical Current Patterns in Josephson Junction Ladders
We present an experimental and theoretical study of the magnetic field
dependence of the critical current of Josephson junction ladders. At variance
with the well-known case of a one-dimensional (1D) parallel array of Josephson
junctions the magnetic field patterns display a single minimum even for very
low values of the self-inductance parameter . Experiments
performed changing both the geometrical value of the inductance and the
critical current of the junctions show a good agreement with numerical
simulations. We argue that the observed magnetic field patterns are due to a
peculiar mapping between the isotropic Josephson ladder and the 1D parallel
array with the self-inductance parameter .Comment: 4 pages, 4 picture
Observation of breather-like states in a single Josephson cell
We present experimental observation of broken-symmetry states in a
superconducting loop with three Josephson junctions. These states are generic
for discrete breathers in Josephson ladders. The existence region of the
breather-like states is found to be in good accordance with the theoretical
expectations. We observed three different resonant states in the
current-voltage characteristics of the broken-symmetry state, as predicted by
theory. The experimental dependence of the resonances on the external magnetic
field is studied in detail.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figure
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