Intrinsic Resistivity via Quantum Nucleation of Phase Slips in a One-Dimensional Josephson Junction Array

TL;DR

This paper calculates the intrinsic resistivity of a 1D Josephson junction array at zero temperature by analyzing quantum phase slip nucleation rates, aligning well with experimental data and discussing the superconductor-insulator transition.

Contribution

It introduces a collective coordinate approach and uses WKB method to estimate quantum phase slip rates in the strong coupling regime, providing new insights into quantum resistivity.

Findings

Good agreement with experimental data

Quantitative estimate of quantum phase slip nucleation rate

Discussion of superconductor-insulator transition

Abstract

The resistivity of a one-dimensional Josephson junction array at zero temperature is calculated by estimating the nucleation rate of quantum phase slips. We choose a certain collective coordinate which describes the nucleation process and estimate the corresponding effective mass. In the strong coupling regime, where Josephson coupling energy exceeds the charging energy, we calculate the nucleation rate by means of WKB method. Our estimation is in good agreement with recent experimental data. The superconductor-insulator transition point is also discussed.