Mobile kinks and half-integer zero-field-like steps in highly discrete alternating Josephson junction arrays
arXiv:0712.0675 · doi:10.1088/0953-2048/21/4/045003
Abstract
The dynamics of a one-dimensional, highly discrete, linear array of alternating and Josephson junctions is studied numerically, under constant bias current at zero magnetic field. The calculated current - voltage characteristics exhibit half-integer and integer zero-field-like steps for even and odd total number of junctions, respectively. Inspection of the instantaneous phases reveals that, in the former case, single kink excitations (discrete semi-fluxons) are supported, whose propagation in the array gives rise to the step, while in the latter case, a pair of kink -- antikink appears, whose propagation gives rise to the step. When additional kinks are inserted in the array, they are subjected to fractionalization, transforming themselves into two closely spaced kinks. As they propagate in the array along with the single kink or the kink - antikink pair, they give rise to higher half-integer or integer zero-field-like steps, respectively.
7 pages, 8 figures, submitted to Supercond. Sci. Technol
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