Disorder in two dimensional Josephson junctions

Abstract

An effective free energy of a two dimensional (i.e. large area) Josephson Junctions is derived, allowing for thermal fluctuations, for random magnetic fields and for external currents. We show by using replica symmetry breaking methods, that the junction has four distinct phases: disordered, Josephson ordered, a glass phase and a coexisting Josephson order with the glass phase. Near the coexistence to glass transition at s=1/2 the critical current is ~ (area)^{-s+1/2} where s is a measure of disorder. Our results may account for junction ordering at temperatures well below the critical temperature of the bulk in high T_c trilayer junctions.