Broadly tunable subterahertz emission from internal branches of the current-voltage characteristics of superconducting Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+δ) single crystals

Phys Rev Lett. 2012 Mar 9;108(10):107006. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.107006. Epub 2012 Mar 9.

Abstract

Continuous, coherent subterahertz radiation arises when a dc voltage is applied across a stack of the many intrinsic Josephson junctions in a Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+δ) single crystal. The active junctions produce an equal number of I-V characteristic branches. Each branch radiates at a slightly tunable frequency obeying the Josephson relation. The overall output is broadly tunable and nearly independent of heating effects and internal cavity frequencies. Amplification by a surrounding external cavity to allow for the development of a useful high-power source is proposed.