Double-well potential for a Josephson vortex qubit

The prospect of designing a vortex qubit is analyzed theoretically by studying the classical dynamics of a vortex in a double-well potential created in a semiannular Josephson junction. A vortex in a double-well potential behaves like a particle in a two-level system and can be a candidate for a qubit. Tunability of the double-well potential inside a semiannular Josephson junction allows the manipulation of the vortex states. Methods of vortex manipulation and read-out of the classical states of a qubit are also discussed.