YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_7$ Josephson diode operating as a high-efficiency ratchet

TL;DR

This paper reports on a high-efficiency Josephson diode made from YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_7$ that functions as a ratchet, rectifying ac currents into dc voltage with record efficiency and power output at relatively high temperatures.

Contribution

The authors fabricated a novel Josephson diode with asymmetric critical currents using nanopatterning, demonstrating high rectification efficiency and power output at temperatures up to 40 K.

Findings

Achieved a non-reciprocity ratio of ~7 at optimal magnetic field.

Demonstrated a thermodynamic efficiency of up to 75%.

Produced a maximum dc voltage of 212 μV and power of 0.2 nW.

Abstract

Using a focused He$^+$ beam for nanopatterning and writing of Josephson barriers we fabricated specially shaped Josephson junctions of in-line geometry in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_7$ thin film microbridges with an asymmetry ratio of critical currents of opposite polarities (non-reciprocity ratio) $\approx 7$ at optimum magnetic field. Those Josephson diodes were subsequently used as ratchets to rectify an applied ac current into a dc voltage. We also demonstrate the operation of such a ratchet in the loaded regime, where it produces a nonzero dc output power and yields a thermodynamic efficiency of up to $75\,\mathrm{\%}$. The ratchet shows record figures of merit: an output dc voltage of up to $212\,\mathrm{\mu V}$ and an output power of up to $0.2\,\mathrm{nW}$. The device has an essential area $\approx 1\,\mathrm{\mu m^2}$. For rectification of quasistatic Gaussian noise, the figures of merit are more modest, however the efficiency can be as high as for the deterministic ac drives within some regimes. Since the device is based on YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_7$, it can operate at temperatures up to $\sim40\,\mathrm{K}$, where more noise is available for rectification.