Thermoelectric and thermophase effects in Josephson junctions

Journal Article · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.55.12691· OSTI ID:496770

Guttman, G D; Nathanson, B; Ben-Jacob, E; Bergman, D J ^[1]

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1. School of Physics and Astronomy, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv 69978, Tel-Aviv (Israel)

We study the thermoelectric properties of a superconductor-insulator-superconductor Josephson junction. The total electrical current across the junction is composed of three parts: a normal current, a Josephson current, and an interference current. We show that only the normal part contributes to a thermocurrent (i.e., an electrical current that flows in response to a temperature drop). The fact that the interference current has no thermoelectric properties provides insight into the physical nature of this term. We distinguish between two mechanisms for the thermocurrent: one is the normal thermoelectric tunneling current; the other is a transport phenomenon, which ensues from a nonequilibrium (charge-imbalance) state in the bulk superconductors comprising the junction. The latter effect gives rise to a {ital phase-dependent} thermocurrent. Finally, we consider an open-circuit Josephson junction biased by a temperature drop. The possible steady states of the system are studied using the resistively shunted junction model. In particular, we consider the zero-voltage state which corresponds to canceling of the quasiparticle and condensate currents. We call this a {ital thermophase} effect. Experimental setups are suggested in order to detect this effect. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}

• OSTI ID: 496770
• Journal Information: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter, Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter Journal Issue: 18 Vol. 55; ISSN 0163-1829; ISSN PRBMDO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
BCS THEORY
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
JOSEPHSON JUNCTIONS
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
THERMOELECTRIC PROPERTIES
TUNNEL EFFECT