Multiterminal ballistic Josephson junctions coupled to normal leads

Abstract: Multiterminal Josephson junctions have aroused considerable theoretical interest recently and numerous works aim at putting the predictions of correlations among Coopers (i.e. the so-called quartets) and simulation of topological matter to the test of experiments. The present paper is motivated by recent experimental investigation from the Harvard group reporting $h/4e$-periodic quartet signal in a four-terminal configuration containing a loop pierced by magnetic flux, together with inversion controlled by the bias voltage, i.e. the quartet signal can be larger at half-flux quantum than in zero magnetic field. Here, we theoretically focus on devices consisting of finite-size quantum dots connected to four superconducting and to a normal lead. In addition to presenting numerical calculations of the quartet signal within a simplified modeling, we reduce the device to a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian in the infinite-gap limit. Then, relaxation has the surprising effect of producing sharp peaks and log-normal variations in the voltage-sensitivity of the quartet signal in spite of the expected moderate fluctuations in the two-terminal DC-Josephson current. The phenomenon is reminiscent of a resonantly driven harmonic oscillator having amplitude inverse proportional to the damping rate, and of the thermal noise of a superconducting weak link, inverse proportional to the Dynes parameter. Perspectives involve quantum bath engineering multiterminal Josephson junctions in the circuits of cavity quantum electrodynamics.