English

Josephson Vortex Qubit based on a Confocal Annular Josephson Junction

Superconductivity 2017-12-27 v1 Quantum Physics

Abstract

We report theoretical and experimental work on the development of a Josephson vortex qubit based on a confocal annular Josephson tunnel junction (CAJTJ). The key ingredient of this geometrical configuration is a periodically variable width that generates a spatial vortex potential with bistable states. This intrinsic vortex potential can be tuned by an externally applied magnetic field and tilted by a bias current. The two-state system is accurately modeled by a one-dimensional sine-Gordon like equation by means of which one can numerically calculate both the magnetic field needed to set the vortex in a given state as well as the vortex depinning currents. Experimental data taken at 4.2K on high-quality Nb/Al-AlOx/Nb CAJTJs with an individual trapped fluxon advocate the presence of a robust and finely tunable double-well potential for which reliable manipulation of the vortex state has been classically demonstrated. The vortex is prepared in a given potential by means of an externally applied magnetic field, while the state readout is accomplished by measuring the vortex-depinning current in a small magnetic field. Our proof of principle experiment convincingly demonstrates that the proposed vortex qubit based on CAJTJs is robust and workable.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1707.01672,
  title  = {Josephson Vortex Qubit based on a Confocal Annular Josephson Junction},
  author = {Roberto Monaco and Jesper Mygind and Valery P. Koshelets},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1707.01672},
  year   = {2017}
}

Comments

20 pages, 11 figures

R2 v1 2026-06-22T20:39:23.641Z