Josephson junction-based axion detection through resonant activation

TL;DR

This paper proposes a method to detect axions by exploiting resonant activation effects in Josephson junctions, showing how variations in switching times can reveal axion presence.

Contribution

It introduces a novel detection scheme for axions using Josephson junctions and details an experimental protocol for observing axion coupling effects.

Findings

Nonmonotonic mean switching time behavior with axion energy ratio

Detection of axions through variations in switching times

Proposed experimental protocol for axion detection

Abstract

We discuss the resonant activation phenomenon on a Josephson junction due to the coupling of the Josephson system with axions. We show how such an effect can be exploited for axion detection. A nonmonotonic behavior, with a minimum, of the mean switching time from the superconducting to the resistive state versus the ratio of the axion energy and the Josephson plasma energy is found. We demonstrate how variations in switching times make it possible to detect the presence of the axion field. An experimental protocol for observing axions through their coupling with a Josephson system is proposed.