Quantum and classical Shapiro steps in small Josephson junctions

TL;DR

This paper presents a model explaining the formation of quantum and classical Shapiro steps in small Josephson junctions, highlighting the crossover governed by environmental relaxation time and aligning well with experimental observations.

Contribution

The paper introduces a unified model for dual and classical Shapiro steps in Josephson junctions, accounting for environmental effects and experimental configurations.

Findings

Dual Shapiro steps occur at low frequency and power

Classical Shapiro steps occur at high frequency and power

The model accurately fits experimental I-V curves

Abstract

We propose a model describing the formation of both dual (quantum) and classical Shapiro steps in small Josephson junctions. According to this model, the dual Shapiro steps are formed at relatively low frequency of the microwave signal and low microwave power, while the classical steps are formed in the opposite limit of high frequency and power. The crossover between the two regimes is controlled by a single parameter - the effective relaxation time of the environment. The model accounts for the effect of a large inductor in the bias circuit, which has been used in recent experiments to protect the junction from the high frequency noise of the environment. We predict the possibility of observing both types of steps in the same sample. Our model describes the I-V curves observed in the experiments with reasonable accuracy, thus opening up an opportunity for quantitative fitting of the data.