Even and Odd Order Intermodulation Nonlinearity From Superconductive Microstrip Lines
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-2011
Publication Source
IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity
Volume Number
21
Issue Number
3
First Page
595
Last Page
598
ISSN
1051-8223
Abstract
Three-tone intermodulation distortion (IMD) was used to measure the even and odd order microwave nonlinearity of superconducting Tl2Ba2CaCu2O8 and YBa2Cu3O7 resonators. By using an off-resonance probe signal, the IMD generation is stimulated locally in the vicinity of the probe. Both 2nd and 3rd order IMD appear at the microwave resonant frequency, providing a synchronous comparison of the local even and odd order nonlinearities and a quantitative determination of the current densities that produce the intermodulation distortion. Comparison of synchronous 2nd and 3rd order IMD provides a characterization of the extent of time reversal symmetry breaking (TRSB) in the superconductor. As the probe is scanned across the resonator, the degree of TRSB is seen to vary in different regions, always exhibiting a significant rise in the 3rd order IMD at the critical temperature, T-c, consistent with expectation from the nonlinear Meissner effect. The ratio of 2nd order to 3rd order IMD current drops significantly at T-c, indicating a reduction in TRSB at the phase transition.
Recommended Citation
Published in: IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, Volume 21, Issue 3, June 1, 2011, pages 595-598. The final published version is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/TASC.2010.2085414
