Generation of tunable Terahertz radiation using Josephson vortices

Abstract

We propose how to control the THz radiation generated by fast moving Josephson vortices in spatially modulated (either along the c-axis or the ab-plane) samples of Bi-2212 and related superconducting compounds. We show that the JVs moving in a subset of weaker junctions can generate out-of-ab-plane and outside-the-cone Cherenkov radiation. The ab-plane modulation of superconducting properties (achieved, for instance, by ion irradiation lithography) can result in transition radiation within certain frequency windows, i.e., allowing the design of tunable THz emitters and THz photonic crystals.

4 pages, 2 figures, originally submitted to PRL