Josephson junctions as nanoelectromechanical Bloch oscillators

TL;DR

This paper proposes using Josephson junctions to generate and control nano-mechanical vibrations via Bloch oscillations, enabling detection through simple voltage measurements and potential creation of non-classical mechanical states.

Contribution

It introduces a novel scheme to harness Josephson junction Bloch oscillations for nano-mechanical vibration amplification and control, with practical detection methods.

Findings

Vibrations produce detectable peaks in I-V characteristics.

DC bias and magnetic field enable control of mechanical states.

Potential for generating non-classical mechanical states.

Abstract

Bloch oscillations were predicted and observed long ago in Josephson junctions, which are thin insulating or conducting layers bridging two superconductors. Here we forward a scheme for utilizing these oscillations to amplify nano-metric mechanical vibrations. Highly coherent non-classical mechanical states can be produced and controlled by simply applying a DC bias current and an in-plane magnetic field. The vibrations induce peaks in the I-V characteristic of the junction and can be detected by simple DC voltage measurements.