Quantum Dissociation of a Vortex-Antivortex Pair in a Long Josephson Junction

M. V. Fistul, A. Wallraff, Y. Koval, A. Lukashenko, B. A. Malomed, and A. V. Ustinov
Phys. Rev. Lett. 91, 257004 – Published 16 December 2003

Abstract

The thermal and the quantum dissociation of a single vortex-antivortex (VAV) pair in an annular Josephson junction is experimentally observed and theoretically analyzed. In our experiments, the VAV pair is confined in a pinning potential controlled by external magnetic field and bias current. The dissociation of the pinned VAV pair manifests itself in a switching of the Josephson junction from the superconducting to the resistive state. The observed temperature and field dependence of the switching current distribution is in agreement with the analysis. The crossover from the thermal to the macroscopic quantum tunneling mechanism of dissociation occurs at a temperature of about 100 mK. We also predict the specific magnetic field dependence of the oscillatory energy levels of the pinned VAV state.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 28 July 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.91.257004

©2003 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

M. V. Fistul1, A. Wallraff1,2, Y. Koval1, A. Lukashenko1, B. A. Malomed3, and A. V. Ustinov1

  • 1Physikalisches Institut III, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany
  • 2Department of Applied Physics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
  • 3Department of Interdisciplinary Science, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 91, Iss. 25 — 19 December 2003

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×