Title :
Josephson Junctions for High-Speed Circuits
Author :
Chen, Ke ; Zhuang, C.G. ; Li, Qi ; Weng, X. ; Redwing, J.M. ; Zhu, Y. ; Voyles, P.M. ; Xi, X.X.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Phys., Temple Univ., Philadelphia, PA, USA
fDate :
6/1/2011 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
MgB2/MgO/MgB2 sandwich-type Josephson junctions have been fabricated using MgB2 films grown by hybrid physical-chemical vapor deposition (HPCVD). The MgO barrier and the insulating layer between wiring layers were made by RF magnetron sputtering. The junctions exhibit non-vanishing Jc up to 40 K, the Tc of MgB2. MgB2 wiring is achieved without significantly changing the junction properties. The fabrication and properties of the junctions are described in detail. The I-V curves of the junctions are hysteretic at temperatures below 25 K and are RSJ-like above 25 K. Multiple Andreev reflection was observed, manifested by subgap peaks in the dI/dV-V curves and in good agreement with the theory. The Jc spread (1σ) of 10 junctions on one chip is better than 10%, which is likely due to the defects inside the MgO barrier as identified by transmission electron microscopy. Superconducting circuits made of these junctions may be expected to work at frequencies up to 1 THz or at temperatures over 20 K.
Keywords :
chemical vapour deposition; insulating materials; magnesium compounds; sputtering; superconducting junction devices; superconducting thin films; transmission electron microscopy; wiring; I-V curves; MgB2-MgO-MgB2; RF magnetron sputtering; high-speed circuits; hybrid physical-chemical vapor deposition; insulating layer; multiple Andreev reflection; sandwich-type Josephson junctions; superconducting circuits; transmission electron microscopy; wiring layers; Fabrication; Gold; Josephson junctions; Junctions; Niobium; Superconducting magnets; Wiring; ${rm MgB}_{2}$ ; High- $J_{c}$; Josephson junctions; superconducting devices;
Journal_Title :
Applied Superconductivity, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TASC.2010.2093853