Title :
Superconductor-normal metal-superconductor junctions for signal amplification and harmonic multiplication
Author :
Soares, Vitorvani ; Luiz, Adir M. ; Nicolsky, Roberto
Author_Institution :
Inst. de Fisica, Univ. Fed. do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
fDate :
9/1/1999 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
We report signal amplification and harmonic multiplication processes based on the nonlinear current-voltage characteristics (CVC) displayed by superconductor-normal metal-superconductor (SNS) junctions. Such junctions may exhibit a negative differential resistance at low voltages, the so called low-voltage-negative-differential-resistance (LVNDR) effect. This effect is due to the quantum mechanical multiple Andreev reflection mechanism in very clean systems and is stable against a bias voltage. Therefore, it is in principle possible to use these junctions as an active element in a variety of circuit applications such as oscillators, amplifiers or mixers, in the microwave and millimeter-wave range
Keywords :
frequency multipliers; harmonic generation; microwave amplifiers; microwave frequency convertors; millimetre wave amplifiers; millimetre wave frequency convertors; negative resistance circuits; superconducting microwave devices; superconductor-normal-superconductor devices; LVNDR effect; SNS junctions; amplifiers; bias voltage stability; frequency multiplication; harmonic multiplication; low-voltage-negative-differential-resistance effect; microwave range; millimeter-wave range; mixers; negative differential resistance; nonlinear current-voltage characteristics; oscillators; quantum mechanical multiple Andreev reflection mechanism; signal amplification; superconductor-normal metal-superconductor junctions; very clean systems; Current-voltage characteristics; Josephson junctions; Low voltage; Microwave circuits; Microwave oscillators; Quantum mechanics; Reflection; Signal processing; Superconducting devices; Superconducting microwave devices;
Journal_Title :
Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on
