On and off-chip detection of radiation from HTS Josephson junction arrays

Abstract

We have investigated the mutual phase interaction between a single detector junction and a phase-locked three-junction array of high-T/sub c/ Josephson junctions. The YBCO Josephson junctions were fabricated on a MgO bicrystal substrate. In the array junction structure, the dc bias current was fed to the junction array having parallel geometry with each pair of junctions shunted by a superconducting coplanar microstrip superconducting loop. The configuration of bias leads was a series connection of interlocking dc SQUIDs geometry which enables all junctions to oscillate at the same frequency. We measured the radiation power of a Josephson-junction array using an off-chip coupled to a radiometer and on-chip coupled to a single junction from centimeter- to millimeter-wave ranges. Clear self-induced Shapiro steps were observed in the current-voltage curves of the detector junction. The power transfered to the single detector junction was estimated from the modulation of Shapiro step height. The maximum detected power level was about 7 nW at frequency 150-250 GHz. The Josephson oscillation power excited the resonant mode coupled to the coplanar microstrip loops.