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Coherent diffraction of thermal currents in Josephson tunnel junctions
We theoretically investigate heat transport in temperature-biased Josephson
tunnel junctions in the presence of an in-plane magnetic field. In full analogy
with the Josephson critical current, the phase-dependent component of the heat
flux through the junction displays coherent diffraction. Thermal transport is
analyzed in three prototypical junction geometries highlighting their main
differences. Notably, minimization of the Josephson coupling energy requires
the quantum phase difference across the junction to undergo \pi-slips in
suitable intervals of magnetic flux. An experimental setup suited to detect
thermal diffraction is proposed and analyzed.Comment: 6.5 pages, 4 color figures, updated versio
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