Phase retrapping in aφJosephson junction: onset of the butterfly effect

Menditto, R., Sickinger, H., Weides, M. , Kohlstedt, H., Žonda, M., Novotný, T., Koelle, D., Kleiner, R. and Goldobin, E. (2016) Phase retrapping in aφJosephson junction: onset of the butterfly effect. Physical Review B, 93(17), 174506. (doi: 10.1103/PhysRevB.93.174506)

Abstract

We investigate experimentally the retrapping of the phase in a φ Josephson junction upon return of the junction to the zero-voltage state. Since the Josephson energy profile U 0 ( ψ ) in φ JJ is a 2 π periodic double-well potential with minima at ψ = ± φ mod 2 π , the question is at which of the two minima − φ or + φ the phase will be trapped upon return from a finite voltage state during quasistatic decrease of the bias current (tilt of the potential). By measuring the relative population of two peaks in escape histograms, we determine the probability of phase trapping in the ± φ wells for different temperatures. Our experimental results agree qualitatively with theoretical predictions. In particular, we observe an onset of the butterfly effect with an oscillating probability of trapping. Unexpectedly, this probability saturates at a value different from 50% at low temperatures.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: R.M. gratefully acknowledges support by the Carl Zeiss Stiftung. This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) via Project No. GO-1106/5, via project A5 within SFB/TRR-21, and by the EU-FP6- COST action MP1201. This work is also supported by the National Science Centre (Poland) under Contract No. DEC-2014/13/B/ST3/04451 (T.N.) and by the Czech Science Foundation via Project No. 16-19640S (M.Z.).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Weides, Professor Martin
• Authors: Menditto, R., Sickinger, H., Weides, M., Kohlstedt, H., Žonda, M., Novotný, T., Koelle, D., Kleiner, R., and Goldobin, E.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• Journal Name: Physical Review B
• Publisher: American Physical Society
• ISSN: 2469-9950
• ISSN (Online): 2469-9969
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 American Physical Society
• First Published: First published in Physical Review B 93(17): 174506
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy