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Frustrated Frustration of Arrays with Four-Terminal Nb-Pt-Nb Josephson Junctions
Justus Teller1,2, Christian Schäfer1,2, Kristof Moors1,2
1Forschungszentrum Jülich, Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-9), 52425 Jülich, Germany.
Physical Review Letters
|October 25, 2025
Summary
We explored frustration in Josephson junctions, revealing a checkerboard flux pattern that stabilizes transitions. This pattern influences DC resistance, offering insights into flux and vortex behavior.
Area of Science:
- * Condensed matter physics
- * Superconductivity
- * Quantum electronics
Background:
- * Josephson junctions are crucial for quantum electronic devices.
- * Frustration in superconducting lattices can lead to exotic phenomena.
- * Four-terminal geometries offer unique control over flux patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate the frustration pattern in a square lattice of four-terminal Josephson junctions.
- * To understand the impact of alternating fluxes on the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition.
- * To explore novel flux and vortex configurations and their influence on DC resistance.
Main Methods:
- * Fabrication of in situ Nb-Pt-Nb four-terminal Josephson junctions in a square lattice.
- * Application of alternating magnetic fluxes (f, f') to the lattice plaquettes.
- * Measurement of DC resistance to observe frustration effects and transition behaviors.
Main Results:
- * A checkerboard flux pattern was observed, stabilizing the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition.
- * The system exhibited a beating pattern in DC resistance due to flux repartitioning.
- * State configurations at resistance dips showed gradual changes between zero- and half-flux states.
Conclusions:
- * Four-terminal Josephson junction arrays provide a platform for studying complex flux and vortex states.
- * The observed frustration pattern influences superconducting transition stability.
- * The study offers insights into the spatial characteristics of the Josephson junction's weak link.
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