Predicted third-order sweet spots for phi-junction Josephson parametric amplifiers
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Hybrid superconductor-semiconductor nanowire Josephson junctions exhibit skewed and \phi_0 ϕ 0 -shifted current phase relations when an in-plane magnetic field is applied along the weak link’s spin-orbit effective field direction. These junctions can have an asymmetric Josephson potential with odd-order nonlinearities. A dominant third-order nonlinearity can be achieved by tuning the magnetic field to a sweet spot. Sweet spots persist when higher order Josephson harmonics are included. This makes it possible to have a single Josephson junction dipole element with three-wave mixing capability, which is favorable for pump-efficient amplification. Electrostatic gate tunability of the semiconductor weak link can make it operable within an extended range of working frequencies, and the inclusion of micromagnets can facilitate near-zero magnetic field operation.
Source: SciPost Physics
Authors: Tasnum Reza, Sergey M. Frolov
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Funder: U.S. Department of Energy
OpenAlex ID: W7140090204