Model for a Josephson junction array coupled to a resonant cavity

We describe a simple Hamiltonian for an underdamped Josephson array coupled to a single photon mode in a resonant cavity. Using a Hartree-like mean-field theory, we show that, for any given strength of coupling between the photon field and the Josephson junctions, there is a transition from incoherence to coherence as a function of N, the number of Josephson junctions in the array. Above that value of N, the energy in the photon field is proportional to N², suggestive of coherent emission. These features remain even when the junction parameters have some random variation from junction to junction, as expected in a real array. Both of these features agree with recent experiments by Barbara and co-workers.