Asymmetric Frequency Conversion in Nonlinear Systems Driven by a Biharmonic Pump

A novel mechanism of asymmetric frequency conversion is investigated in nonlinear dispersive devices driven parametrically with a biharmonic pump. When the relative phase between the first and second harmonics combined in a two-tone pump is appropriately tuned, nonreciprocal frequency conversion, ei...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Kamal, Archana, Roy, Ananda, Clarke, John, Devoret, Michel H.
Other Authors: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Research Laboratory of Electronics
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2014
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/92384
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5430-9837
Description
Summary:A novel mechanism of asymmetric frequency conversion is investigated in nonlinear dispersive devices driven parametrically with a biharmonic pump. When the relative phase between the first and second harmonics combined in a two-tone pump is appropriately tuned, nonreciprocal frequency conversion, either upward or downward, can occur. Full directionality and efficiency of the conversion process is possible, provided that the distribution of pump power over the harmonics is set correctly. While this asymmetric conversion effect is generic, we describe its practical realization in a model system consisting of a current-biased, resistively shunted Josephson junction. Here, the multiharmonic Josephson oscillations, generated internally from the static current bias, provide the pump drive.