Josephson vortex

In superconductivity, a Josephson vortex is a vortex of supercurrent in a long Josephson junction (LJJ). The supercurrents circulate around the vortex center which is situated inside the Josephson barrier. Opposite to Abrikosov vortices in type-II superconductors, Josephson vortex has no normal core.

Additional recommended knowledge

How to quickly check pipettes?

Safe Weighing Range Ensures Accurate Results

Weighing the right way

Usually the Josephson vortex's supercurrents create magnetic field with the total flux equal to Φ₀ --- a single flux quantum. Such vortex is therefore called a (Josephson) fluxon. Recently it was demonstrated by Hilgenkamp et al. that Josephson vortices in the so-called 0-π LJJ can also carry half of the flux quantum, and are called semifluxons.

References

• H. Hilgenkamp, Ariando, H.-J. H. Smilde, D. H. A. Blank, G. Rijnders, H. Rogalla, J. R. Kirtley and C. C. Tsuei, (2003). "Ordering and manipulation of the magnetic moments in large-scale superconducting π-loop arrays". Nature (London) 442: 50.