Josephson phase diffusion in the SQUID ratchet

Abstract: We study diffusion of the Josephson phase in the asymmetric SQUID subjected to a time-periodic current and pierced by an external magnetic flux. We analyze a relation between phase diffusion and quality of transport characterized by the dc voltage across the SQUID and efficiency of the device. In doing so, we concentrate on the previously reported regime [J. Spiechowicz and J. {\L}uczka, New J. Phys. \textbf{17}, 023054 (2015)] for which efficiency of the SQUID attains a global maximum. For long times, the mean-square displacement of the phase is a linear function of time, meaning that diffusion is normal. Its coefficient is small indicating rather regular phase evolution. However, it can be magnified \emph{several times} by tailoring experimentally accessible parameters like amplitudes of the ac current or external magnetic flux. Finally, we prove that in the deterministic limit this regime is essentially \emph{non-chaotic} and possesses an unexpected simplicity of attractors.