Radio-frequency based monitoring of small supercurrents

Abstract

We consider the applicability of the established rf readout technique, which allows to obtain the supercurrent-phase relation of a Josephson element from impedance measurements in the phase-biased regime. In experiments on Nb-based single and double tunnel junctions, we demonstrate that this method holds even if the Josephson coupling energy is smaller than the thermal energy. Compared with conventional current–voltage measurements, we evaluate the rf technique to be favorable in particular for investigations of small supercurrents in low-capacitance Josephson elements.