The intense interest in spin-based quantum information processing has caused an increasing overlap between the two traditionally distinct disciplines of magnetic resonance and nanotechnology. In this work we discuss rigorous design guidelines to integrate microwave circuits with charge-sensitive nanostructures, and describe how to simulate such structures accurately and efficiently. We present a new design for an on-chip, broadband, nanoscale microwave line that optimizes the magnetic field used to drive a spin-based quantum bit (or qubit) while minimizing the disturbance to a nearby charge sensor. This new structure was successfully employed in a single-spin qubit experiment, and shows that the simulations accurately predict the magnetic field values even at frequencies as high as 30 GHz.
The intense interest in spin-based quantum information processing has caused an increasing overlap between the two traditionally distinct disciplines of magnetic resonance and nanotechnology. In this work we discuss rigorous design guidelines to integrate microwave circuits with charge-sensitive nanostructures, and describe how to simulate such structures accurately and efficiently. We present a new design for an on-chip, broadband, nanoscale microwave line that optimizes the magnetic field used to drive a spin-based quantum bit (or qubit) while minimizing the disturbance to a nearby charge sensor. This new structure was successfully employed in a single-spin qubit experiment, and shows that the simulations accurately predict the magnetic field values even at frequencies as high as 30 GHz.
The intense interest in spin-based quantum information processing has caused an increasing overlap between two traditionally distinct disciplines, such as magnetic resonance and nanotechnology. In this work we discuss rigourous design guidelines to integrate microwave circuits with charge-sensitive nanostructures, and describe how to simulate such structures accurately and efficiently. We present a new design for an on-chip, broadband, nanoscale microwave line that optimizes the magnetic field driving a spin qubit, while minimizing the disturbance on a nearby charge sensor. This new structure was successfully employed in a single-spin qubit experiment, and shows that the simulations accurately predict the magnetic field values even at frequencies as high as 30 GHz.
In this thesis, we investigate the use of an on-chip micromagnet to control the magnetic-field profile along a carbon nanotube for spin-qubit applications. The nanotube serves as a coherent conductor in which a single electron is confined in a gate-defined double quantum dot shaped by the electrostatic potential along the tube. Quantum information is encoded in the electron's spin state, which serves as the qubit. The quantum-dot circuit is embedded in a circuit quantum electrodynamics (QED) architecture that enables qubit manipulation, readout, and long-range coupling. Coupling of the spin qubit to photons in a microwave resonator is enabled through spin-charge hybridization engineered by controlling the field profile along the nanotube: the electron in the double well experiences different spin-quantization axes in the two dots. Here, magnetic-field control is implemented by integrating a micromagnet into the quantum-dot circuit. Optimal geometries for on-chip field gradients are identified through numerical simulations to maximize the magnetic-field difference between the two quantum dots. Thin-film magnetic characterization and local field sensing of the micromagnet - using NV-center magnetometry - are performed. The experimental data are matched with micromagnetic simulations to predict the magnetic field generated by the magnet at various external fields and positions, and hence to forecast spin-qubit performance. To further enhance spin-photon coupling, the spin-qubit architecture is integrated with a microwave circuit fabricated from niobium nitride (NbN), a high-kinetic-inductance, magnetic-field-resilient superconductor. The design and characterization of a high-impedance resonator are detailed. Finally, we demonstrate on-chip integration of the carbon-nanotube quantum-dot circuit, the micromagnet, and the NbN microwave circuitry.
Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers in diamond are attractive tools for sensing and quantum information. Realization of this potential requires effective tools for controlling the spin degree of freedom by microwave (mw) magnetic fields. In this work, we present a planar microwave resonator optimized for microwave-optical double resonance experiments on single NV centers in diamond. It consists of a piece of wide microstrip line, which is symmetrically connected to two 50 Ω microstrip feed lines. In the center of the resonator, an Ω-shaped loop focuses the current and the mw magnetic field. It generates a relatively homogeneous magnetic field over a volume of 0.07 × 0.1 mm3. It can be operated at 2.9 GHz in both transmission and reflection modes with bandwidths of 1000 and 400 MHz, respectively. The high power-to-magnetic field conversion efficiency allows us to produce π-pulses with a duration of 50 ns with only about 200 and 50 mW microwave power in transmission and reflection, respectively. The transmission mode also offers capability for efficient radio frequency excitation. The resonance frequency can be tuned between 1.3 and 6 GHz by adjusting the length of the resonator. This will be useful for experiments on NV-centers at higher external magnetic fields and on different types of optically active spin centers.
Since superconducting quantum computers use microwave signals to control and readout their qubits, microwave transmission lines and circuits that can be used under cryogenic conditions are required. For microwave transmission lines, thermal insulation is essential to enhance wiring density and to prevent parasitic heating that can lead to increased computational errors. Thus, here we design and characterize a scalable, thermally insulated microwave transmission line. The transmission line designed for superconducting qubit readout at 5 GHz band achieves both thermal insulation and low loss, by employing resonator-based impedance matching in a microstripline structure. A flexible cable including eight planar transmission lines was designed, fabricated and characterized using S-parameter measurement, demonstrating low crosstalk below 40dB and signal attenuation of -23.5±0.07dB; this coincides with electromagnetic simulations. These microwave properties remained stable across a wide temperature range from room temperature down to 4 K, including steep gradients. The integration of chip attenuators further reduces thermal noise and protects sensitive cryogenic components. Our approach offers a promising solution for compact, high-density microwave wiring using flat cables under thermal gradients, necessary for large scale quantum computing.
Abstract : As classical computers begin to reach their fundamental performance limits, quantum computers will be an invaluable tool for the advance of science and technology. The trillion dollar silicon electronics industry sets the perfect stage for the evolution of quantum computation, yet it has so far proved to be a tough challenge to implement all the elements needed to build a scalable quantum computer in silicon. This thesis presents the first experimental demonstration of the full operation of single-spin qubits in Si. Our qubits consist of the electron and nuclear spins of a single phosphorus atom, implanted in a Si substrate, and controlled by a gated nanostructure. We describe an experimental setup tailored to minimise electron temperature and perform realtime data acquisition, analysis and instrument control. We present modeling, simulation and characterisation of a novel nanoscale coplanar antenna for spin control, designed to work at frequencies up to 50 GHz. These tools have allowed us to demonstrate the first ever single-atom spin-qubits in natural silicon, leading the way to demonstrating record qubit performances in isotopically purified 28Si: an electron spin qubit with measurement and control fidelities 97% and coherence times of 0.5 seconds; and a nuclear spin qubit with fidelities 99.99% and a record single-spin coherence of 30 s. We have performed noise spectroscopy in our system and concluded that decoherence is currently limited by magnetic noise originating from our broadband antenna.
Superconducting resonators are finding increasing applications in designing advanced quantum circuits for an ongoing sensing, metrology, and computing technological revolution. A detailed knowledge of the microscopic electromagnetic properties of superconducting resonators is directly relevant for their further improvements on circuitry design and device performance. Here, we introduce scanning-probe quantum microscopy to report nanoscale sensing of the microwave and static magnetic field environment of an on-chip niobium (Nb) superconducting resonator. Taking advantage of Rabi oscillation measurements, we show that microwave magnetic fields generated by the superconducting resonator mode can be utilized to achieve coherent control of a quantum spin sensor. We further visualize the static electromagnetic field response of the Nb resonator, showing magnetic field-induced formation, evolution, and depinning of superconducting vortices. Our results provide insights into future design, testing, and evaluation of solid-state superconducting resonators, highlighting the potential of quantum sensors as a local probe to investigate electromagnetic properties of superconducting quantum circuits.