In long Josephson junctions with multiple discontinuities of the Josephson phase, fractional vortex molecules are spontaneously formed. At each discontinuity point a fractional Josephson vortex carrying a magnetic flux $|Phi|<Phi_0$, $Phi_0approx 2.07times 10^{-15}$ Wb being the magnetic flux quantum, is pinned. Each vortex has an oscillatory eigenmode with a frequency that depends on $Phi/Phi_0$ and lies inside the plasma gap. We experimentally investigate the dependence of the eigenfrequencies of a two-vortex molecule on the distance between the vortices, on their topological charge $wp=2piPhi/Phi_0$ and on the bias current $gamma$ applied to the Josephson junction. We find that with decreasing distance between vortices, a splitting of the eigenfrequencies occurs, that corresponds to the emergence of collective oscillatory modes of both vortices. We use a resonant microwave spectroscopy technique and find good agreement between experimental results and theoretical predictions.
Download