In this letter, we demonstrate for the first time the creation of Josephson-like superconducting nanojunctions using a thermal scanning probe to directly inscribe weak links into microstrips of YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO). Our method effectively reduces the critical current (Ic) over an order of magnitude. The resulting nanobridges exhibit clear evidence of Josephson effects, of SNS-type junctions, as shown by both the DC and AC Josephson effects. This approach provides a novel and flexible method for scaling up quantum mechanical circuits that operate at liquid nitrogen temperatures. Additionally, it offers a promising pathway for modifying properties of the junctions in-situ and post fabrication.
@article{arxiv.2410.00372,
title = {Direct writing of high temperature superconducting Josephson junctions using a thermal scanning probe},
author = {Ngoc My Hanh Duong and Amanuel M. Berhane and Dave Mitchell and Rifat Ullah and Ting Zhang and He Zhu and Jia Du and Simon K. H. Lam and Emma E. Mitchell and Avi Bendavid},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2410.00372},
year = {2024}
}