Terahertz Josephson plasma waves in layered superconductors: spectrum, generation, nonlinear, and quantum phenomena

The recent growing interest in terahertz (THz) and sub-THz science and technology is due to its many important applications in physics, astronomy, chemistry, biology, and medicine. We review the problem of linear and non-linear THz and sub-THz Josephson plasma waves in layered superconductors and their excitations produced by moving Josephson vortices. We start by discussing the coupled sine-Gordon equations for the gauge-invariant phase difference of the order parameter in the junctions, taking into account the effect of breaking the charge neutrality, and deriving the spectrum of Josephson plasma waves. We also review surface and waveguide Josephson plasma waves. We review the propagation of weakly nonlinear Josephson plasma waves below the plasma frequency, which is very unusual for plasma-like excitations. In close analogy to nonlinear optics, these waves exhibit numerous remarkable features, including a self-focusing effect, and the pumping of weaker waves by a stronger one. We also present quantum effects in layered superconductors, specifically, the problem of quantum tunnelling of fluxons through stacks of Josephson junctions. We discuss the Cherenkov and transition radiations of the Josephson plasma waves produced by moving Josephson vortices. We also discuss the problem of coherent radiation (superradiance) of the THz waves by exciting uniform Josephson oscillations. The effects reviewed here could be potentially useful for sub-THz and THz emitters, filters, and detectors.