Two-dimensional macroscopic quantum dynamics in YBCO Josephson junctions

TL;DR

This paper models classical thermal activation and macroscopic quantum tunneling in YBCO Josephson junctions coupled with an LC circuit, revealing how the coupling suppresses MQT escape rates and slightly reduces TA escape rates, aiding experimental interpretation.

Contribution

It introduces a two-dimensional theoretical framework for analyzing TA and MQT in YBCO Josephson junctions coupled with an LC circuit, highlighting the impact of the coupling on escape rates.

Findings

MQT escape rate is significantly suppressed by LC circuit coupling.

TA escape rate is slightly reduced due to the coupling.

Results assist in interpreting recent experimental data.

Abstract

We theoretically study classical thermal activation (TA) and macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT) for a YBCO Josephson junction coupled with an LC circuit. The TA and MQT escape rate are calculated by taking into account the two-dimensional nature of the classical and quantum phase dynamics. We find that the MQT escape rate is largely suppressed by the coupling to the LC circuit. On the other hand, this coupling leads to the slight reduction of the TA escape rate. These results are relevant for the interpretation of a recent experiment on the MQT and TA phenomena in YBCO bi-epitaxial Josephson junctions.