Linewidth and DC properties of the flux-flow oscillator with mixed inline-overlap bias

Abstract

A Flux-Flow Oscillator (FFO) is a long Josephson junction in which a unidirectional flow of magnetic flux quanta is maintained by an applied DC magnetic field and a bias current. In the overlap geometry the FFO voltage and thus its oscillation frequency is controlled independently by the (overlap) bias current and the so-called "control line" (inline) current, which creates the magnetic field at the ends of the FFO. We have studied both DC properties and the linewidth of the emitted radiation for an FFO, which can be biased in different ways; as a four current terminal object. The bias current of the mixed inline-overlap type is applied through the terminals commonly used for the "control line" current. In this configuration the bias current also contributes to the magnetic field at one of the two FFO ends. This changes the steepness of the junction's I-V characteristics and therefore the bias current dynamic resistance. The experimental FFO linewidth was found to be independent of the bias configuration and determined by the dynamic resistance of the junction with pure overlap bias current. A new method has been developed to evaluate the difference in the DC magnetic field at the ends of the junction. It may be attributed to control line redistribution caused by the impedance matching RF circuit connected to the FFO at the end where the fluxon chain annihilates and radiation is emitted. We found that the opposite end, where the fluxons enter the junction, appears to be about three times more sensitive to variations of the magnetic field than the radiating end. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd.