The utilization of Josephson vortices as information carriers in superconducting digital electronics is hindered by the lack of reliable displacement and localization mechanisms. In this Letter, we experimentally investigate planar Nb junctions with an intrinsic phase shift and nonreciprocity induced by trapped Abrikosov vortices. We demonstrate that the entrance of a single Josephson vortex into such junctions triggers the switching between metastable ±𝜋 semifluxon states. We showcase controllable manipulation between these states using short current pulses and achieve a nondestructive readout by a nearby junction. Our observations pave the way toward ultrafast and energy-efficient digital Josephson electronics.

Optimization of Josephson oscillators requires a quantitative understanding of their microwave properties. A Josephson junction has a geometry similar to a microstrip patch antenna. However, it is biased by a dc current distributed over the whole area of the junction. The oscillating electric field is generated internally via the ac-Josephson effect. In this work, I present a distributed, active patch antenna model of a Josephson oscillator. It takes into account the internal Josephson electrodynamics and allows for the determination of the effective input resistance, which couples the Josephson current to cavity modes in the transmission line formed by the junction. The model provides full characterization of Josephson oscillators and explains the origin of the low radiative power efficiency. Finally, I discuss the design of an optimized Josephson patch oscillator capable of reaching high efficiency and radiation power for emission into free space.

This work provides a proof -of -concept for superresolution magnetic imaging using a single Josephson junction. The technique resembles digital holography: magnetic patterns are obtained via an inverseproblem solution from diffractionlike modulation of the junction's critical current, I c (H) . We demonstrate numerical reconstruction of complex two-dimensional patterns, verify the technique experimentally using Nb-based planar junctions, and fabricate an operational sensor on a cantilever. Our results show that Josephson holography allows for both high spatial resolution (approximately 20 nm) and high field sensitivity (approximately 10 - 11 T R root Hz), thus resolving the trade-off problem between resolution and sensitivity in magnetic scanning probe imaging.

The lack of dense random access memory is one of the main bottlenecks for the creation of a digital superconducting computer. In this work we study experimentally vortex-based superconducting memory cells. Three main results are obtained. First, we test scalability and demonstrate that the cells can be straightforwardly miniaturized to submicron sizes. Second, we emphasize the importance of conscious geometrical engineering. In the studied devices we introduce an asymmetric easy track for vortex motion and show that it enables a controllable manipulation of vortex states. Finally, we perform a detailed analysis of word and bit line operation of a 1 x 1 mu m(2) cell. High-endurance, non-volatile operation at zero magnetic field is reported. Remarkably, we observe that the combined word and bit line threshold current is significantly reduced compared to the bare word-line operation. This could greatly improve the selectivity of individual cell addressing in a multi-cell RAM. The achieved one square micron area is an important milestone and a significant step forward towards creation of a dense cryogenic memory.

We analyze experimentally and theoretically mutual phase locking and electromagnetic interaction between two linear arrays with a large number of Josephson junctions. Arrays with different separation, either on the same chip or on two separate substrates are studied. We observe a large coherent gain, up to a factor of three, of emitted power from two simultaneously biased arrays, compared to the sum of powers from two individually biased arrays. The phenomenon is attributed to the phase locking of junctions in different arrays via a common electromagnetic field. Remarkably, the gain can exceed the factor of two expected for a simple constructive interference of two oscillators. The larger gain is explained by an additional consequence of mutual interaction between two large arrays. Mutual phase locking of large arrays does not only result in constructive interference outside the arrays, but also improved synchronization of junctions inside each array. Our conclusion is supported by numerical modelling.

Superconducting diodes, operational at zero magnetic field, can be used in supercomputers. Here, the authors demonstrate prototypes of diodes-with-memory, based on Nb Josephson junctions, with a large and switchable nonreciprocity at zero field. Diode is one of the basic electronic components. It has a nonreciprocal current response, associated with a broken space/time reversal symmetry. Here we demonstrate prototypes of superconducting diodes operational at zero magnetic field. They are based on conventional niobium planar Josephson junctions, in which space/time symmetry is broken by a combination of self-field effect from nonuniform bias and stray fields from a trapped Abrikosov vortex. We demonstrate that nonreciprocity of critical current in such diodes can reach an order of magnitude and rectification efficiency can exceed 70%. Furthermore, we can easily change the diode polarity and switch nonreciprocity on/off by changing the bias configuration and by trapping/removing of a vortex. This facilitates a memory functionality. We argue that such a diode-with-memory can be used for a future generation of in-memory superconducting computers.

A general problem of magnetic sensors is a trade-off between spatial resolution and magnetic-field sensitivity. With decreasing sensor size its resolution is improved but the sensitivity is deteriorated. Obviation of such a trade-off requires development of super-resolution imaging technique not limited by sensor size. Here we present a proof of concept for a super-resolution method of magnetic imaging by a Josephson junction (JJ). It is based on a solution of an inverse problem—reconstruction of a local magnetic-field distribution within a junction from the dependence of the critical current on an external magnetic field, Ic(H). The method resembles the Fourier-transform holography, with the diffractionlike Ic(H) pattern serving as a hologram. A simple inverse problem solution, valid for an arbitrary symmetric case, is derived. We verify the method numerically and show that the accuracy of reconstruction does not depend on the junction size and is only limited by the field range of the Ic(H) pattern. Finally, the method is tested experimentally using planar Nb JJs. Super-resolution reconstruction of stray magnetic fields from an Abrikosov vortex, trapped in the junction electrodes, is demonstrated. Thus our method facilitates both high field sensitivity and high spatial resolution, obviating the trade-off problem of magnetic sensors. We conclude that the holographic magnetic imaging by a planar JJ can be used in scanning probe microscopy

Today, scientists are drowned in information and have no time to read all publications, even in a specific area. Information is sifted and only a small fraction of articles is read. Under these circumstances, scientific articles have to be properly adjusted to pass through the superficial sifting. Here, I present instructions for PhD students with almost serious advice on how to write (and how not to write) a contemporary scientific article. I argue that it should “tell a story” and should answer on the three main questions: Why, What, and So what?

We study arrays of planar Nb Josephson junctions with contacts to intermediate electrodes, which allow measurements of individual junctions and, thus, provide an insight into intricate array dynamics. We observe strong indications for array phase locking, despite a significant interjunction separation. Several unusual phenomena are reported, such as a bistable critical current with reentrant superconductivity upon switching of nearby junctions; and “incorrect” Shapiro steps, occurring at mixing frequencies between the external rf radiation and the internal Josephson frequency in nearby junctions. Our results reveal a surprisingly strong and long-range interjunction interaction, which is attributed to nonlocality of planar-junction electrodynamics, caused by the long-range spreading of stray electromagnetic fields. The nonlocality greatly enhances the high-frequency interjunction coupling and enables large-scale synchronization. Therefore, we conclude that planar geometry is advantageous for the realization of coherent Josephson electronics.