Long-range phase coherence and phase patterns in hybrid Josephson junction arrays

TL;DR

This study uses scanning SQUID to directly image and analyze the spatial phase patterns and long-range coherence in a hybrid Josephson junction array, revealing how magnetic fields influence phase fragmentation.

Contribution

First direct measurement of long-range phase coherence and spatial phase patterns in a hybrid Josephson junction array using scanning SQUID.

Findings

Long-range phase coherence is strongest at zero magnetic field.

Periodic phase patterns emerge at specific magnetic fillings.

The system fragments into large phase-constant regions under small magnetic fields.

Abstract

The coherence of superconductivity and its suppression near a quantum phase transition is governed by the interplay between local pairing and macroscopic phase coherence. Using scanning SQUID, we image the local susceptibility in a hybrid Josephson junction array. On a square lattice of narrow islands, we simultaneously access both the amplitude and spatial phase structure of sensitive superconducting states. We observe periodic phase patterns at commensurate magnetic fillings. At zero field the long-range phase coherence is strongest. At a finite field, smaller than one percent of flux quantum per unit cell, the system fragments into large regions of constant superconducting phase, as a function of the applied field. Our results provide the first direct measurement of long-range phase coherence in a Josephson junction array.