Model for a Josephson junction array coupled to a resonant cavity

Abstract

We describe a simple Hamiltonian for an underdamped Josephson array coupled to a single photon mode in a resonant cavity. Using a Hartree-like mean-field theory, we show that, for any given strength of coupling between the photon field and the Josephson junctions, there is a transition from incoherence to coherence as a function of N, the number of Josephson junctions in the array. Above that value of N, the energy in the photon field is proportional to N^2, indicative of coherent emission. Both of these features agree with recent experiments by Barbara et al. The experimentally observed voltage steps may require an explicit solution of the dynamical equations.