Influence of trapped Abrikosov vortices on the critical current of the Josephson tunnel junction

Abstract

Values for the maximum Josephson critical current (Icmax) and distortion of the dependence of the critical current (Ic) on magnetic field applied parallel to the plane of the tunnel junction (H/sub ///) are calculated for different configurations of Abrikosov vortices in a wide range of their concentration. An experimental procedure is developed to trap both misaligned dipole vortices and monopole vortices in the Nb/AlOx/Nb Josephson tunnel junction for study of their influence on the Ic(H/sub ///) curves and the value of Icmax. The results of the theoretical calculations agree well with the experimental data.