The ac‐Josephson effect above the gap frequency

The rf‐power dependence of the ac‐Josephson steps is measured at 720 GHz, using small area Nb tunnel junctions. This frequency is well above the gap frequency of Nb. The junction is placed in a waveguide, and connected to a superconducting stripline, which effectively tunes out the junction capacitance and facilitates the coupling of the radiation to the junction. We observe three Josephson steps, and the first step crosses the zero current axis over a considerable range of rf‐power. This indicates the possible application of THz Josephson steps in voltage standards. The data are compared to the theory and we find clear evidence for the predicted intrinsic roll‐off of the Josephson current amplitude above the gap frequency.