Controlling the proximity effect in a Co/Nb multilayer: the properties of electronic transport

Optimisation Challenge for a Superconducting Adiabatic Neural Network That Implements XOR and OR Boolean Functions

In this article, we consider designs of simple analog artificial neural networks based on adiabatic Josephson cells with a sigmoid activation function. A new approach based on the gradient descent method is developed to adjust the circuit parameters, allowing efficient signal transmission between the network layers. The proposed solution is demonstrated on the example of a system that implements XOR and OR logical operations.

Spin-Valve-Controlled Triggering of Superconductivity

We have studied the proximity effect in an SF1S1F2s superconducting spin valve consisting of a massive superconducting electrode (S) and a multilayer structure formed by thin ferromagnetic (F1,2) and superconducting (S1, s) layers. Within the framework of the Usadel equations, we have shown that changing the mutual orientation of the magnetization vectors of the F1,2 layers from parallel to antiparallel serves to trigger superconductivity in the outer thin s-film. We studied the changes in the pair potential in the outer s-film and found the regions of parameters with a significant spin-valve effect. The strongest effect occurs in the region of parameters where the pair-potential sign is changed in the parallel state. This feature reveals new ways to design devices with highly tunable inductance and critical current.

A bifunctional superconducting cell as flux qubit and neuron

Josephson digital or analog ancillary circuits are an essential part of a large number of modern quantum processors. The natural candidate for the basis of tuning, coupling, and neromorphic co-processing elements for processors based on flux qubits is the adiabatic (reversible) superconducting logic cell. Using the simplest implementation of such a cell as an example, we have investigated the conditions under which it can optionally operate as an auxiliary qubit while maintaining its "classical" neural functionality. The performance and temperature regime estimates obtained confirm the possibility of practical use of a single-contact inductively shunted interferometer in a quantum mode in adjustment circuits for q-processors.

Density of states in the presence of spin-dependent scattering in SF bilayers: a numerical and analytical approach

We present a quantitative study of the density of states (DOS) in SF bilayers (where S is a bulk superconductor and F is a ferromagnetic metal) in the diffusive limit. We solve the quasiclassical Usadel equations in the structure considering the presence of magnetic and spin-orbit scattering. For practical reasons, we propose the analytical solution for the density of states in SF bilayers in the case of a thin ferromagnet and low transparency of the SF interface. This solution is confirmed by numerical calculations using a self-consistent two-step iterative method. The behavior of DOS dependencies on magnetic and spin-orbit scattering times is discussed.

Tunable superconducting neurons for networks based on radial basis functions

The hardware implementation of signal microprocessors based on superconducting technologies seems relevant for a number of niche tasks where performance and energy efficiency are critically important. In this paper, we consider the basic elements for superconducting neural networks on radial basis functions. We examine the static and dynamic activation functions of the proposed neuron. Special attention is paid to tuning the activation functions to a Gaussian form with relatively large amplitude. For the practical implementation of the required tunability, we proposed and investigated heterostructures designed for the implementation of adjustable inductors that consist of superconducting, ferromagnetic, and normal layers.

In situ transport characterization of magnetic states in Nb/Co superconductor/ferromagnet heterostructures

Employment of the non-trivial proximity effect in superconductor/ferromagnet (S/F) heterostructures for the creation of novel superconducting devices requires accurate control of magnetic states in complex thin-film multilayers. In this work, we study experimentally in-plane transport properties of microstructured Nb/Co multilayers. We apply various transport characterization techniques, including magnetoresistance, Hall effect, and the first-order-reversal-curves (FORC) analysis. We demonstrate how FORC can be used for detailed in situ characterization of magnetic states. It reveals that upon reduction of the external field, the magnetization in ferromagnetic layers first rotates in a coherent scissor-like manner, then switches abruptly into the antiparallel state and after that splits into the polydomain state, which gradually turns into the opposite parallel state. The polydomain state is manifested by a profound enhancement of resistance caused by a flux-flow phenomenon, triggered by domain stray fields. The scissor state represents the noncollinear magnetic state in which the unconventional odd-frequency spin-triplet order parameter should appear. The non-hysteretic nature of this state allows for reversible tuning of the magnetic orientation. Thus, we identify the range of parameters and the procedure for in situ control of devices based on S/F heterostructures.

Theoretical Basis of Quantum-Mechanical Modeling of Functional Nanostructures

The paper presents an analytical review of theoretical methods for modeling functional nanostructures. The main evolutionary changes in the approaches of quantum-mechanical modeling are described. The foundations of the first-principal theory are considered, including the stationery and time-dependent Schrödinger equations, wave functions, the form of writing energy operators, and the principles of solving equations. The idea and specifics of describing the motion and interaction of nuclei and electrons in the framework of the theory of the electron density functional are presented. Common approximations and approaches in the methods of quantum mechanics are presented, including the Born–Oppenheimer approximation, the Hartree–Fock approximation, the Thomas–Fermi theory, the Hohenberg–Kohn theorems, and the Kohn–Sham formalism. Various options for describing the exchange–correlation energy in the theory of the electron density functional are considered, such as the local density approximation, generalized and meta-generalized gradient approximations, and hybridization of the generalized gradient method. The development of methods of quantum mechanics to quantum molecular dynamics or the dynamics of Car–Parrinello is shown. The basic idea of combining classical molecular modeling with calculations of the electronic structure, which is reflected in the potentials of the embedded atom, is described.