Nanotechnology for next generation Josephson voltage standards

Abstract

We have developed two voltage standard systems: 1) the programmable Josephson voltage standard and 2) the Josephson arbitrary waveform synthesizer. The programmable system is fully automated and provides stable programmable dc voltages from -1.2 V to +1.2 V. The synthesizer is the first quantum-based ac voltage standard source. It uses perfectly quantized Josephson pulses to generate arbitrary waveforms with low harmonic distortion and stable, calculable time-dependent voltages. Both systems are presently limited to output voltages less than 10 V as a result of frequency requirements and the limits of junction fabrication technology. We describe the development of fabrication technology for these systems and describe the circuit- and fabrication-related constraints that presently limit system performance. Finally, we propose the use of lumped arrays of junctions to achieve higher practical voltages through development of a nanoscale junction technology, in which 13 000 junctions are closely spaced at 50 nm-100 nm intervals.