Propagation and generation of Josephson radiation in superconductor/insulator superlattices

Abstract

The wave propagation and generation characteristics of a metal-insulator superlattice are calculated in a low-field Landau–Ginzburg model, including Josephson coupling through the insulating layers. It is shown that a significant increase in the phase velocity of the electromagnetic waves propagating in the superlattice occurs when the thickness of the superconducting layers becomes much less than the London penetration depth, suggesting that increased output of Josephson radiation may be achieved from such structures. Wave generation via the ac Josephson effect (in the presence of applied dc electric and magnetic fields) is studied for both parallel and series driven multilayer structures.