Quantum superposition of macroscopic persistent-current states.
Microwave spectroscopy experiments have been performed on two quantum levels of a macroscopic superconducting loop with three Josephson junctions. Level repulsion of the ground state and first excited state is found where two classical persistent-current states with opposite polarity are degenerate, indicating symmetric and antisymmetric quantum superpositions of macroscopic states. The two classical states have persistent currents of 0.5 microampere and correspond to the center-of-mass motion of millions of Cooper pairs.
van der Wal
C H
CH
Department of Applied Physics and Delft Institute for Micro Electronics and Submicron Technology (DIMES), Delft University of Technology, Post Office Box 5046, 2600 GA Delft, Netherlands. caspar@qt.tn.tudelft.nl
ter Haar
A C
AC
Wilhelm
F K
FK
Schouten
R N
RN
Harmans
C J
CJ
Orlando
T P
TP
Lloyd
S
S
Mooij
J E
JE