Coulomb blockade thermometry using a two-dimensional array of tunnel junctions

Abstract

We have measured current–voltage characteristics of two-dimensional (2D) arrays of small tunnel junctions at temperatures from 1.5 to 4.2 K. This corresponds to thermal energies larger than the charging energy. We show that 2D arrays can be used as primary thermometers in the same way as one-dimensional (1D) arrays, and even have some advantages over 1D arrays. We have carried out Monte Carlo simulations, which agree with our experimental results.