Josephson junctions as threshold detectors for full counting statistics

TL;DR

This paper proposes using Josephson junctions as threshold detectors to directly measure the full counting statistics of current fluctuations, providing a new method for characterizing mesoscopic conductors.

Contribution

It introduces a scheme to extract full counting statistics from escape rate measurements using Josephson junctions, applicable to various types of conductors.

Findings

Scheme successfully characterizes FCS from escape rate data

Applicable to tunnel, diffusive, and ballistic conductors

Provides explicit results for different mesoscopic systems

Abstract

We discuss how threshold detectors can be used for a direct measurement of the full counting statistics (FCS) of current fluctuations and how to implement Jose phson junctions in this respect. We propose a scheme to characterize the full co unting statistics from the current dependence of the escape rate measured. We il lustrate the scheme with explicit results for tunnel, diffusive and quasi-ballis tic mesoscopic conductors.