Demonstration of dual Shapiro steps in small Josephson junctions

Fabian Kaap (), Christoph Kissling, Victor Gaydamachenko, Lukas Grünhaupt and Sergey Lotkhov
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Fabian Kaap: Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
Christoph Kissling: Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
Victor Gaydamachenko: Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
Lukas Grünhaupt: Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
Sergey Lotkhov: Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: Abstract Bloch oscillations in small Josephson junctions were predicted theoretically as the quantum dual to Josephson oscillations. A significant consequence of this prediction is the emergence of quantized current steps, so-called dual Shapiro steps, when synchronizing Bloch oscillations to an external microwave signal. These steps potentially enable a fundamental standard of current I, defined via the frequency f of the external signal and the elementary charge e, I = ± n × 2ef, where n is a natural number. Here, we realize this fundamental relation by synchronizing the Bloch oscillations in small Al/AlOx/Al Josephson junctions to sinusoidal drives with frequencies from 1 to 6 GHz and observe dual Shapiro steps up to I ≈ 3 nA. Inspired by today’s voltage standards and to further confirm the duality relation, we investigate a pulsed drive regime and observe an asymmetric pattern of dual Shapiro steps. This work confirms quantum duality effects in Josephson junctions and paves the way towards a range of applications in quantum metrology based on well-established fabrication techniques and straightforward circuit design.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53011-z

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