Discontinuous Current-Phase Relations in Small One-Dimensional Josephson Junction Arrays

Abstract

We study the Josephson effect in small one-dimensional (1D) Josephson junction arrays. For weak Josephson tunneling, topologically different regions in the charge-stability diagram generate distinct current-phase (I-phi) relationships. We present results for a three-junction system in the vicinity of charge-degeneracy lines and triple points. We explain the generalization to larger arrays, show that discontinuities of the I-phi relation at phase pi persist and that, at maximum degeneracy, the problem can be mapped to a tight-binding model providing analytical results for arbitrary system size.