MAGNETIC-FIELD DEPENDENCE OF THE CRITICAL CURRENT IN LONG QUASI-OVERLAP JOSEPHSON-JUNCTIONS

The effect of the magnetic field on the current distribution in one-dimensional long Josephson tunnel junctions is investigated. Overlap and mixed overlap/in-line configurations have been considered. The latter geometry corresponds to an actual experimental situation, since it takes into account nonuniformities of the bias current. A simple method to investigate the dependence of the Josephson critical current on the external magnetic field for any junction length has been developed. The predictions, based on the phase space analysis, are compared with experimental results obtained on long junctions of different length. The possibility of evaluating relevant junction parameters from the experimental measurements using this method is discussed.