Macroscopic Quantum Tunneling in Superconducting Junctions: Theoretical Aspects
摘要
Theoretical aspects of the phenomenon of macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT) in superconducting weak links are reviewed. This review includes both the "standard" theory of MQT in Josephson tunnel junctions in the presence of dissipation and further extensions of this theory embracing highly transparent superconducting junctions with intrinsic dissipation due to the presence of low energy Andreev bound states. The latter structures demonstrate a number of interesting specific features which are still waiting for their experimental confirmation.