Abstract

April 24, 2006

Title: Dissecting Physical Systems through Modeling and Simulation:
investigating possible macroscopic quantum behavior of Josephson systems
Presented by: Niels Gronbech-Jensen
Department of Applied Science, University of California, Davis
Computational Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Video Podcast

Abstract

The nature of physical systems is often understood only through indirect experimental probes, which require significant theoretical interpretation before conclusions can be made. An example is the characterization of macroscopic quantum behavior in superconducting tunnel junctions (Josephson junctions). Apart from the fundamental scientific interest in macroscopic quantum behavior in condensed matter physics, this system has technological interest as potential devices for quantum information processing. A wealth of experimental evidence has therefore been produced to generate a consistent understanding of the quantum behavior of Josephson junctions operated at low temperatures.

An alternative interpretation of the observations is described based on the modeling and simulation of an entirely classical description of the experimental system. The results show that computational experiments on model systems that deliberately omit selected key components, such as quantum mechanics, can significantly aid the interpretation of indirect experimental observations.