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Experimental realization of Josephson junctions for an atom SQUID
C Ryu1, P W Blackburn, A A Blinova
1P-21, Physics Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|December 3, 2013
Summary
Researchers created a Josephson junction pair on a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), mimicking a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). This atom SQUID demonstrates Josephson effects and has potential as a compact rotation sensor.
Area of Science:
- Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
- Quantum Devices
- Condensed Matter Physics
Background:
- Superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) are highly sensitive magnetometers.
- Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) offer a controllable platform for quantum simulations.
- Josephson junctions are fundamental components in superconducting electronics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create and characterize a pair of Josephson junctions on a toroidal Bose-Einstein condensate.
- To investigate the Josephson effects and critical current in this novel system.
- To explore the potential of this system as a rotation sensor.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of Josephson junctions using a painted potential technique (time-averaged optical dipole potential).
- Creation of a toroidal dilute gas Bose-Einstein condensate.
- Measurement of critical current and dynamic behavior of the junctions.
Main Results:
- Successful creation of Josephson junctions on a toroidal BEC.
- Observation of Josephson effects consistent with theoretical predictions.
- Dynamic behavior agreed well with simple Josephson equations for a sinusoidal current-phase relation.
Conclusions:
- The atom SQUID, analogous to a dc SQUID, exhibits expected Josephson effects.
- The painted potential technique allows for complex BEC circuit geometries.
- The device shows promise as a compact rotation sensor due to the analogy between rotation and magnetic field.
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