Microwave response of nonlinear oscillations in resistively shunted superconducting nanowires

Abstract

Many superconducting technologies such as rapid single flux quantum computing (RSFQ) and superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) rely on the modulation of nonlinear dynamics in Josephson junctions for functionality. More recently, however, superconducting devices have been developed based on the switching and thermal heating of nanowires for use in fields such as single photon detection and digital logic. In this Master's thesis, I will use resistive shunting to control the nonlinear heating of a superconducting nanowire and compare the resulting dynamics to those observed in Josephson junctions. In particular, I will use a microwave drive to modulate the nonlinear behavior of the shunted nanowire, and will relate the observed results to the AC Josephson effect. New nanowire devices based on these conclusions may have promising applications in fields such as parametric amplification and frequency multiplexing.