Josephson Traveling-Wave Antennas

Abstract

We propose a new approach to the problem of obtaining coherent radiation from systems with a great number of Josephson junctions, which is based on the concept of traveling-wave antennas. The traveling wave in a line ensures identity of the electrodynamic conditions, under which the junctions operate, whereas the energy leakage to radiation in the lateral direction prevents saturation of the nonlinearity of the individual junctions having a small dynamic range. Simple analytical models, which demonstrate feasibility of the traveling-wave regime, are considered. A code for direct numerical simulation of Josephson microchips including microantennas, lumped elements, and power supply circuits have been developed. Using the direct numerical simulation, a version of the Josephson antenna, which is similar to the simplest single-wire antenna, is studied and the possibility to realize the traveling-wave regime is demonstrated.