Josephson-based threshold detector for L\'evy distributed fluctuations

TL;DR

This paper introduces a Josephson junction-based threshold detector capable of characterizing Le9vy distributed fluctuations by analyzing switching current distributions, enabling detection of Le9vy signals within noisy environments.

Contribution

The work presents a novel Josephson junction-based method to detect and analyze Le9vy noise, including a theoretical model for extracting fluctuation characteristics from switching current data.

Findings

The detector can identify the Le9vy distribution shape parameter e1.

Switching current distributions reveal fluctuation intensity.

Theoretical model links switching data to Le9vy fluctuation features.

Abstract

We propose a threshold detector for L\'evy distributed fluctuations based on a Josephson junction. The L\'evy noise current added to a linearly ramped bias current results in clear changes in the distribution of switching currents out of the zero-voltage state of the junction. We observe that the analysis of the cumulative distribution function of the switching currents supplies information on both the characteristics shape parameter $\alpha$ of the L\'evy statistics and the intensity of the fluctuations. Moreover, we discuss a theoretical model which allows to extract characteristic features of the L\'evy fluctuations from a measured distribution of switching currents. In view of this results, this system can effectively find an application as a detector for a L\'evy signal embedded in a noisy background.