Radiation linewidth of a long Josephson junction in the flux-flow regime

A distributed active patch antenna model of a Josephson oscillator

Optimization of Josephson oscillators requires a quantitative understanding of their microwave properties. A Josephson junction has a geometry similar to a microstrip patch antenna. However, it is biased by a dc current distributed over the whole area of the junction. The oscillating electric field is generated internally via the ac-Josephson effect. In this work, I present a distributed, active patch antenna model of a Josephson oscillator. It takes into account the internal Josephson electrodynamics and allows for the determination of the effective input resistance, which couples the Josephson current to cavity modes in the transmission line formed by the junction. The model provides full characterization of Josephson oscillators and explains the origin of the low radiative power efficiency. Finally, I discuss the design of an optimized Josephson patch oscillator capable of reaching high efficiency and radiation power for emission into free space.

Spectral linewidths of Josephson oscillators

We show that the linewidth of a Josephson flux-flow oscillator has the same functional dependence on temperature, static, and dynamic resistances as the ones of Josephson single-fluxon oscillators and small Josephson junctions. This suggests a universal formula for the linewidth of Josephson oscillators.