Escape from a zero-current state in a one-dimensional array of Josephson junctions

• A long one-dimensional array of small Josephson junctions exhibits Coulomb blockade of Cooper pair tunneling. This zero-current state exists up to a switching voltage, V-sw, where there is a sudden onset of current. In this paper we present histograms showing how V-sw changes with temperature for a long array and calculations of the corresponding escape rates. Our analysis of the problem is based on the existence of a voltage-dependent energy barrier and we do not make any assumptions about its shape. The data divide into two temperature regimes, the higher of which can be explained with the Kramers thermal escape model. At low temperatures the escape becomes independent of temperature.

Nyckelord

voltage state

coulomb-blockade

behavior

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