Deterministic Josephson vortex ratchet with a load.

We investigate experimentally a deterministic underdamped Josephson vortex ratchet-a fluxon particle moving along a Josephson junction in an asymmetric periodic potential. By applying a sinusoidal driving current, one can compel the vortex to move in a certain direction, producing an average dc voltage across the junction. Being in such a rectification regime, we also load the ratchet, i.e., apply an additional dc bias current I(dc) (counterforce) which tilts the potential so that the fluxon climbs uphill due to the ratchet effect. The value of the bias current at which the fluxon stops climbing up defines the strength of the ratchet effect and is determined experimentally. This allows us to estimate the loading capability of the ratchet, the output power, and the efficiency. For the quasistatic regime we present a simple model which delivers straightforward analytic expressions for the above-mentioned figures of merit.