Two-dimensional, Josephson-array, voltage-tunable, high-frequency oscillator

A two-dimensional Josephson array voltage-controlled high frequency oscillator comprising:

• (a) a plurality M of horizontal rows, each said horizontal rows containing
• a plurality N of Josephson junctions of a first group, said Josephson junctions arranged on each said horizontal row so that N vertical columns of Josephson junctions are formed in the array;
• and
• a plurality of horizontal conductors connecting adjacent Josephson junctions in the same horizontal row;
• (b) a plurality of vertical conductors connecting adjacent horizontal rows and intersecting with said horizontal conductors;
• (c) DC biasing means arranged so that voltage on each said Josephson junction of said first group along a horizontal row is uniform for each said row of Josephson junctions in said array;
• and
• (d) each said Josephson junction having predetermined resistance, capacitance and critical current;
• whereby each said Josephson junction is mutually phased locked so that the entire array emits coherent power at a predetermined frequency when excited by an external DC bias.

A method of generating voltage tunable high-frequency signals with a two-dimensional array of superconducting Josephson junctions arranged in a matrix of vertical columns and horizontal rows, comprising the steps of:

• (a) applying a tunable DC bias to said array;
• (b) maintaining a uniform voltage across each said Josephson junction along a horizontal row for each horizontal row of Josephson junctions;
• (c) mutually phase locking each said Josephson junction in said array;
• and
• (d) emitting coherent power at a predetermined frequency from said array.

A method of matching a load to a two-dimensional array of superconducting Josephson junctions arranged in a matrix of horizontal rows and vertical columns, comprising the steps of:

• (a) applying a DC bias to said array;
• (b) maintaining a uniform voltage across each said Josephson junction along a horizontal row for each horizontal row of said Josephson junctions;
• (c) mutually phase locking each said Josephson junction in said array;
• and
• (d) transferring coherent power at a predetermined frequency from said array to said load.

A method of converting DC voltage to a high-frequency AC signal comprising the steps of:

• (a) applying a DC bias to a two-dimensional array of superconducting Josephson junctions arranged in a matrix of horizontal rows and vertical columns;
• (b) maintaining a uniform voltage across each said Josephson junction along a horizontal row for each horizontal row of Josephson junctions;
• (c) mutually phase locking each said Josephson junction in said array;
• and
• (d) emitting coherent power at a predetermined frequency from said array.

A method of tuning a high frequency oscillator having a two-dimensional array of superconducting Josephson junctions, arranged in a matrix of horizontal rows and vertical columns, comprising the steps of:

• (a) exciting said array of Josephson junctions with a DC bias;
• (b) maintaining uniform voltage across each horizontal Josephson junction along a horizontal row for each horizontal row of Josephson junctions;
• (c) mutually phase locking each said Josephson junction in the array;
• (d) applying a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the two-dimensional array;
• and
• (e) deriving coherent power at a predetermined frequency from said array.