A Josephson-array calculable-waveform generator

Author

Christian, Laurie A. ; Millar, Karl J H

Author_Institution

Meas. Stand. Lab. of New Zealand, IRL, Lower Hutt, New Zealand

Volume

47

Issue

2

fYear

1998

fDate

4/1/1998 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

469

Lastpage

475

Abstract

This paper proposes a new method for using a Josephson array to create a voltage waveform with a root-mean-square value calculable to better than 2 in 10⁶ at frequencies below 50 Hz. A novel method of reliably switching the dc voltage from one known voltage step to another at precisely defined time intervals is investigated. In this method, transients in the microwave voltage driving the array are used to induce switching between steps. We consider two possible implementations of this concept. The first is for an array similar to that used in conventional dc voltage standards. The second uses the binary sequence of individually biased arrays introduced by Hamilton et al [1995]. Computer simulation and theoretical analysis are used to demonstrate that the uncertainties in switching times are potentially limited only by the speed of the available microwave attenuators, which is currently of the order of a nanosecond

Keywords

Josephson effect; digital-analogue conversion; measurement standards; superconducting junction devices; superconducting microwave devices; voltage measurement; Josephson-array calculable-waveform generator; binary sequence; individually biased arrays; microwave attenuators; microwave voltage; precisely defined time intervals; root-mean-square value; switching times; voltage step; voltage waveform; Attenuators; Electric variables measurement; Josephson junctions; Measurement standards; Microwave antenna arrays; Microwave devices; Microwave frequencies; Microwave measurements; Switching circuits; Voltage;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Instrumentation and Measurement, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9456

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/19.744193

Filename

744193