Dynamic transition and Shapiro-step melting in a frustrated Josephson-junction array

Abstract

We consider a two-dimensional fully frustrated Josephson-junction array driven by combined direct and alternating currents. Interplay between the mode locking phenomenon, manifested by giant Shapiro steps in the current-voltage characteristics, and the dynamic phase transition is investigated at finite temperatures. Melting of Shapiro steps due to thermal fluctuations is shown to be accompanied by the dynamic phase transition, the universality class of which is also discussed.