Quantum phase transitions and persistent currents in Josephson-junction ladders

In this work we study quantum phase transitions and persistent currents in capacitively coupled one-dimensional Josephson-junction arrays. We will focus particularly on the roles of excitonlike pairs in the strong-coupling limit in the presence of external gate charges and magnetic fluxes. We use the numerical density-matrix renormalization group method for the study in the full range of values of gate charge and magnetic flux. To clarify the various effects, we report the pair correlation functions and exciton densities as well as the persistent current.