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0-π oscillations in nanostructured Nb/Fe/Nb Josephson junctions

  • Mesoscopic and Nanoscale Systems
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Abstract.

The physics of the π phase shift in ferromagnetic Josephson junctions may enable a range of applications for spin-electronic devices and quantum computing. We investigate transitions from “0” to “π” states in Nb/Fe/Nb Josephson junctions by varying the Fe barrier thickness from 0.5 nm to 5.5 nm. From magnetic measurements we estimate for Fe a magnetic dead layer of about 1.1 nm. By fitting the characteristic voltage oscillations with existing theoretical models we extrapolate an exchange energy of 256 meV, a Fermi velocity of 1.98 ×105 m/s and an electron mean free path of 6.2 nm, in agreement with other reported values. From the temperature dependence of the ICRN product we show that its decay rate exhibits a nonmonotonic oscillatory behavior with the Fe barrier thickness.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science, University of Cambridge - Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK

    S. Piano, J. W.A. Robinson & M. G. Blamire

  2. Physics Department, CNR-Supermat Laboratory, University of Salerno - Via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi (SA), Italy

    S. Piano

  3. School of Physics and Astronomy, E.C. Stoner Laboratory, University of Leeds, Leeds-LS2 9, JT, UK

    G. Burnell

Authors
  1. S. Piano
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  2. J. W.A. Robinson
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  3. G. Burnell
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  4. M. G. Blamire
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Correspondence to S. Piano.

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Piano, S., Robinson, J., Burnell, G. et al. 0-π oscillations in nanostructured Nb/Fe/Nb Josephson junctions. Eur. Phys. J. B 58, 123–126 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2007-00210-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2007-00210-8

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