Rectification by imprinted phase in a Josephson junction

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how a Josephson junction with an imprinted phase from a nearby vortex can rectify AC current over a broad frequency range, offering a tunable and experimentally feasible ratchet mechanism.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method of inducing phase shifts via pinned vortices to achieve efficient AC rectification without magnetic fields.

Findings

Rectification occurs over a broad, tunable frequency range.

Imprinted phase from a vortex enhances rectification efficiency.

The system operates without an external magnetic field.

Abstract

A Josephson phase shift can be induced in a Josephson junction by a strategically nearby pinned Abrikosov vortex (AV). For an asymmetric distribution of imprinted phase along the junction (controlled by the position of the AV) such a simple system is capable of rectification of $ac$ current in a broad and tunable frequency range. The resulting rectified voltage is a consequence of the directed motion of a Josephson antivortex which forms a pair with the AV when at local equilibrium. The proposed realization of the ratchet potential by imprinted phase is more efficient than the asymmetric geometry of the junction itself, it is easily realizable experimentally, and provides rectification even in the absence of applied magnetic field.