DC JOSEPHSON EFFECT.

Let 1 be the probability amplitude of electron pairs on one side of

a junction, and let 2 be the amplitude on the other side. For
simplicity, let both superconductors be identical. For the present
we suppose that they are both at zero potential.

 The timedependent Schrodinger equation ih / t applied to

the two amplitude gives

ih

hT ;
t

ih

hT
t

(1)

Where, hT represents the effect of the electronpair coupling or

transfer interaction across the insulator; T has the dimensions of a
rate or frequency. It is a measure of the leakage of 1 into the
region 2, and of 2 into the region 1. If the insulator is very thick, T
is zero and there is no pair tunneling.
Let n e and n e .Then
1

i1

i 2

1
n

n e
i
iT ;
t
2
t
t

(2)

1
n

n e
i
iT ;
t
2
t
t

(3)

1/2

i1

1/2

i2

We multiply (2) by n e to obtain ,with ,

1/2

i1

1 n

in
iT (n n ) e
2 t
t
1

1/2

(4)

We multiply 3 by n e to obtain
i 2

1/2

1 n

in
iT (n n ) e
2 t
t
2

1/2

(5)

Now equate the real and imaginary parts of (4) and similarly of (5):

n
2T (n n ) sin ;
t
n
2T (n n ) sin ;
t
1/2

(6)

1/2

1/2

T cos ;
t
n
1

1/2

T cos ;
t
n
2

(7)

 If n n as for identical superconductors 1 and 2, we have from (7)

1

that

;
( ) 0
t
t
t
1

(8)

From (6) we see that

n
n

t
t
2

(9)

The current flow from (1) to (2) is proportional to n / t or , the same

2

thing, n / t .We therefore conclude from (6) that the current J of

1

superconductor pairs across the junction depends on the phase

difference as

J J sin J sin( )
0

(10)

 Where, J is proportional to the transfer interaction T. The current J

0

is the maximum zerovoltage current that can be passed by the

junction.
With no applied voltage a dc current will flow across the junction (Fig.
1) with a value between J and - J according to the value of the phase
0

difference, ( ) . This is the DC Josephson Effect.

2

AC Josephson Effect:
Let a DC voltage V be applied across the junction. We can do this
because the junction is an insulator.
An electron pair experiences a potential energy difference qV on
passing across the junction where q=-2e. We can say that a pair on
one side is at potential energy eV and a pair on the other side is at
eV. The equations of motion that replace (1) are

ih / t hT eV ; ih / t hT eV
1

(11)

We proceed as above to find in place of (4) the equation

1 n

in
ieVn h iT (n n ) e
2 t
t
1

1/2

(12)

This equation breaks up into the real part

n / t 2T ( n n ) sin
1/2

This is exactly as without the voltage V, and the imaginary part

(13)


eV / h T (n / n ) cos
t
1/2

(14)

which differs from (7) by the term eV/h.

Further , by extension of (5) ,

1 n

in
ieVn h iT (n n ) e
2 t
t
2

1/2

(15)

Whence

n / t 2T (n n ) sin
1/2

/ t (eV / h) T (n n ) cos
1/2

(16)
(17)

From (14) and (17) with n n , we have

1

( ) / t / t 2eV / h
2

(18)

We see by integration of (18) that with a dc voltage across the

junction the relative phase of the probability amplitude vary as

 (t ) (0) (2eVt / h)

(19)

The superconducting current is given by (10) with (19) for the phase:

J J sin 0 (2eVt / h
0

(20)

The current oscillates with frequency

2eV / h

(21)

This is the AC Josephson effect. A dc voltage of 1V produces a

frequency of 483.6 MHz.
The relation (21) says that a photon of energy h 2eV is emitted or
absorbed when an electron pair crosses the barrier.
By measuring the voltage and the frequency is it possible to obtain a
very precise value of e/h.