Abstract
We have studied the transition rate from metastable wells in the two-dimensional potential of a dc SQUID as a function of applied flux and temperature. We observe a crossover from thermally activated escape to macroscopic quantum tunneling at a flux-dependent temperature. The thermal rates are significantly suppressed, suggesting that the potential barrier for activation is effectively enhanced by the interaction of the macroscopic degrees of freedom in the device.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 742-745 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Physical review letters |
| Volume | 61 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1988 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Physics and Astronomy