Asymmetric nanowire SQUID: linear CPR, stochastic switching, and symmetries

Abstract

We study nanodevices based on ultrathin superconducting nanowires connected in parallel to form nanowire SQUIDs. The function of the critical current versus magnetic field, $I_C(B)$, is multivalued, asymmetric and its maxima and minima are shifted from the usual integer and half integer flux quantum points. The nanowire interference device is qualitatively distinct from conventional SQUIDs because nanowires do not obey the same current-phase relationship (CPR) as Josephson junctions. We demonstrate that the results can be explained assuming that (i) the CPR is linear and (ii) that each wire is characterized by a sample-specific critical phase, which is usually much larger than $\pi /2$. Our proposed model offers accurate fits to $I_C(B)$. It explains the single-valuedness regions where only one vorticity (i.e., the order parameter winding number) is stable as well as regions where multiple vorticity values are allowed for the SQUIDs. We also observe and explain regions in which the standard deviation of the switching current is independent of the magnetic field. We develop a technique that allows a reliable detection of hidden phase-slips. Using this technique we find that our model correctly predicts the boundaries of vorticity regions, even at low currents where $I_C(B)$ is not directly measurable.

References in corpus (8)

• Magnetic field enhancement of superconductivity in ultra-narrow wires
• Attojoule calorimetry of mesoscopic superconducting loops
• Inherent stochasticity of superconductive-resistive switching in nanowires
• Nanoscale superconducting memory based on the kinetic inductance of asymmetric nanowire loops
• Sharp Superconductor-Insulator Transition in Short Wires
• Formation of Quantum Phase Slip Pairs in Superconducting Nanowires
• Superconducting quantum interference device without Josephson junctions
• Critical velocity of a clean one-dimensional superconductor

Cited by in corpus (10)

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• Supercurrent-Controlled Kinetic Inductance Superconducting Memory
• Metastable states and hidden phase slips in nanobridge SQUIDs
• Compact inductor-capacitor resonators at sub-gigahertz frequencies
• Local tuning of the order parameter in superconducting weak links: A zero-inductance nano device
• Diode effect in Shapiro steps in an asymmetric SQUID with a superconducting nanobridge
• Diamond-shaped evolution of the superconducting interference pattern in NbTiN weak-link Josephson junctions