Transient dynamics of Josephson-coupled multilayers

Abstract

A novel model is proposed to allow the exploration of the short-time (transient) dynamics of a superconductor–insulator multilayer with Josephson coupling between the layers. This model treats the charge on the layer interface planes as a dynamic variable, whose evolution is determined via the interlayer charge-current continuity equations. The high frequency current responses of both the superconducting and the insulating layers are included in the proper time domain form, derived for the general case of nonuniform layers from standard BCS theory. We present the model equations for the response of the system to an initial charge distribution, with the focus of determining the Josephson switching properties of an overdamped, nonuniform multilayer. Such structures may have potential applications in superconducting flux quantum electronics.