Aging and its circumvention in rf-plasma oxidized Pb-alloy Josephson junctions

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.338291· OSTI ID:6876130

Wada, M; Nakano, J

The aging phenomenon of Pb-alloy Josephson junctions is investigated and an effective method of circumventing it is presented. Junctions consist of Pb-alloy electrodes and a tunneling barrier formed by rf-plasma oxidation of the Pb-alloy. First, aging and annealing-driven change in normal tunneling resistance are compared to verify the usage of annealing as an experimental method for simulation and acceleration of aging. Next, process variables affecting the annealing change in junction characteristics are examined and their influence is described. The importance of the oxide-base electrode interface is confirmed and that of the counterelectrode-oxide interface is experimentally shown. Furthermore, possible changes in the oxide itself are discussed. Finally, on the basis of these studies, rf-plasma oxidation in a CO/sub 2/ atmosphere is employed and proven to be an effective method for circumventing the annealing change in the junction characteristics.

• Research Organization: NTT Electrical Communications Laboratories, 3--1 Morinosato Wakamiya, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-01, Japan
• OSTI ID: 6876130
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 61:11; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

420201* -- Engineering-- Cryogenic Equipment & Devices
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AGING
ALLOYS
ANNEALING
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTS
HEAT TREATMENTS
JOSEPHSON JUNCTIONS
JUNCTIONS
LEAD
LEAD ALLOYS
METALS
OXIDATION
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SUPERCONDUCTING JUNCTIONS
TUNNEL EFFECT