Quantitative study of macroscopic quantum tunneling in a dc SQUID: A system with two degrees of freedom

Abstract

To test whether the theory of macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT) is applicable to systems with 2 degrees of freedom, we experimentally investigated the switching current distribution of a dc SQUID. Using sample parameters determined from measurements at T=4.2 K, we are able to make quantitative comparison to the theories from 8 mK to 4.2 K. The excellent agreement between the data and the MQT theory demonstrates that tunneling from the zero-voltage state of the dc SQUID is well described by the quantum mechanics.