Dynamics of underdamped Josephson junctions with nonsinusoidal current-phase relation

Abstract

Results on analytical and computational investigations of high frequency dynamics of Josephson junctions, characterized by nonzero capacitance and the second harmonic in the current-phase relation are presented. These attributes each influence on behaviour of integer Shapiro steps and lead to formation of non-integer Shapiro steps. Analytic theory of the integer and non-integer Shapiro steps has been developed for so-called high frequency limit. The analytical and numerical results are compared with experimental data for hybrid heterostructures YBCO/Au/Nb. Detector response for the case of high fluctuation level has been considered as well. © 2006 IOP Publishing Ltd.