Josephson effects and dc SQUID behaviour in break junction of Y-Ba-Cu-O at 77 K

Abstract

Break junctions of Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductor were realized by creating fresh crack in the bar shape bulk samples mounted in a specially designed probe kept in the liquid nitrogen bath. While the bulk sample was kept static, a sharp tip of a shaft was moved downward from the outside of the dewar in order to break the sample. It was possible to change the critical current of the break junctions by adjusting pressure on the tip of the shaft. The effects of magnetic field and microwave power on the I-V characteristic of the junction were studied. The junction was found to show periodic V-B behaviour and the microwave-induced Shapiro steps were clearly observed at 77 K. The flux noise spectrum of the junction was also studied.