“Giant” Josephson proximity effect

The “giant” Josephson current through the superconductor–normal–superconductor ${\mathrm{(S–N}}^{\prime }\mathrm{–S)}$ junction where the barrier $N^{\prime }$ is an underdoped cuprate is explained. The thickness of $N^{\prime }$ greatly exceeds the coherence length. The origin of this phenomenon is related to the origin of the metallic pseudogap state. The ability of a giant barrier to transfer a Josephson current is due to the inhomogeneous nature of the barrier and the presence of the superconducting “islands” embedded in the normal metallic matrix.