Vortex matter in YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ grain boundary Josephson junctions: Intrinsic and extrinsic d-wave effects for π-circuitry

We have investigated the transport and magnetic properties of biepitaxial YBa2Cu3O7-δ grain boundary Josephson junctions characterized by low barrier transmission probabilities. The consequent "tunnel-like" behavior is apparently favorable to isolate intrinsic d-wave induced effects. Extrinsic and intrinsic d-wave effects are discussed within the framework of novel designs for π-circuitry and qubits. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.