Josephson junction cavity systems as cousins of the quantum optical micromaser

Abstract

We explore the similarities and differences between simple theoretical models developed to describe the quantum optical micromaser and Josephson-photonics devices. Whilst the micromaser has long been recognised as an important model for the dynamics of open quantum systems far from equilibrium, so-called Josephson-photonics devices are a recently developed form of superconducting quantum circuit in which the quantum transport of charges through a voltage-biased Josephson junction drives the production of photons in a microwave resonator.

12 pages, 5 figures; invited contribution to the focus issue "Quantum Optics and Beyond - in honour of Wolfgang Schleich", to be appear in "Physica Scripta"