Dissipation effects on a single Josephson junction are studied based on a h
armonic-oscillator model in the weak coupling region. It is shown that the
system is controlled by two characteristic energy scales. The origin of the
se energy scales is explained in terms of a classical plasma problem. This
feature provides a new viewpoint on the superconductor-insulator transition
of small Josephson junctions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re
served.