Energetics of an rf SQUID Coupled to Two Thermal Reservoirs

PLoS One. 2015 Dec 7;10(12):e0143912. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143912. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

We study energetics of a Josephson tunnel junction connecting a superconducting loop pierced by an external magnetic flux (an rf SQUID) and coupled to two independent thermal reservoirs of different temperature. In the framework of the theory of quantum dissipative systems, we analyze energy currents in stationary states. The stationary energy flow can be periodically modulated by the external magnetic flux exemplifying the rf SQUID as a quantum heat interferometer. We also consider the transient regime and identify three distinct regimes: monotonic decay, damped oscillations and pulse-type behavior of energy currents. The first two regimes can be controlled by the external magnetic flux while the last regime is robust against its variation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electric Conductivity*
  • Energy Transfer / physiology*
  • Hot Temperature
  • Interferometry
  • Magnetic Fields*
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Quantum Theory*
  • Thermodynamics*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Center for Science (NCN, Poland) under grants UMO-2011/01/N/ST3/02473 (BG), N202 052940 (JL) and DEC-2013/09/B/ST3/01659 (JD). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.