Transconductance quantization in a topological Josephson tunnel junction circuit

Abstract

Superconducting circuits incorporating Josephson tunnel junctions are widely used for fundamental research as well as for applications in fields such as quantum information and magnetometry. The quantum coherent nature of Josephson junctions makes them especially suitable for metrology applications. Josephson junctions suffice to form two sides of the quantum metrology triangle, relating frequency to either voltage or current, but not its base, which directly links voltage to current. We propose a five Josephson tunnel junction circuit in which simultaneous pumping of flux and charge results in quantized transconductance in units 4e2/h=2e/Φ0, the ratio between the Cooper pair charge and the flux quantum. The Josephson quantized Hall conductance device (JHD) is explained in terms of intertwined Cooper pair pumps driven by the AC Josephson effect. We describe an experimental implementation of the device and discuss the optimal configuration of external parameters and possible sources of error. The JHD has a rich topological structure and demonstrates that Josephson tunnel junctions are universal, capable of interrelating frequency, voltage, and current via fundamental constants.

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