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arXiv:2406.07899 · Frontiers in Physics

Josephson parametric amplifier based quantum noise limited amplifier development for axion search experiments in CAPP

Sergey V. Uchaikin, Jinmyeong Kim, Çağlar Kutlu, Boris I. Ivanov, Jinsu Kim, Arjan F. van Loo, Yasunobu Nakamura, Saebyeok Ahn, Seonjeong Oh, Minsu Ko, Yannis Kyriakos Semertzidis

Published Jul 23, 2024• 9 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the development of flux-driven Josephson Parametric Amplifiers (JPAs) as Quantum Noise Limited Amplifier for axion search experiments conducted at the Center for Axion and Precision Physics Research (CAPP) of the Institute for Basic Science. It focuses on the characterization, and optimization of JPAs, which are crucial for achieving the highest sensitivity in axion particle detection. We discuss various characterization techniques, methods for improving bandwidth, and the attainment of ultra-low noise temperatures. JPAs have emerged as indispensable tools in CAPP’s axion search endeavors, playing a significant role in advancing our understanding of fundamental physics and unraveling the mysteries of the Universe.

DOI
10.3389/fphy.2024.1437680

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This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the development of flux-driven Josephson Parametric Amplifiers (JPAs) as Quantum Noise Limited Amplifier for axion search experiments conducted at the Center for Axion and Precision Physics Research (CAPP) of the Institute for Basic Science. It focuses on the characterization, and optimization of JPAs, which are crucial for achieving the highest sensitivity in axion particle detection. We discuss various characterization techniques, methods for improving bandwidth, and the attainment of ultra-low noise temperatures. JPAs have emerged as indispensable tools in CAPP’s axion search endeavors, playing a significant role in advancing our understanding of fundamental physics and unraveling the mysteries of the Universe.
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Abstract IBS/CAPP in South Korea is home to multiple active axion search experiments using cavity haloscopes that operate within the frequency range of 1-6 GHz. The haloscopes convert axions to photons, resulting in an output power of about 10-24 to 10-22 W. To detect such a small signal amidst noise, quantum-limited noise amplifiers and ultra-low-temperature environment (∼10 mK) are required for all critical read-out components to minimize noise from all of active and passive lossy components. Additionally, operating at low dissipation levels is necessary to maintain the haloscope and amplifier at a temperature of 25-40 mK. Our primary objective is to achieve the highest possible scanning-frequency speed, which includes the time for maintenance and system calibration. For the CAPP-MAX flagship experiment, we achieved a record speed of 3 MHz/day for the DFSZ-level axion sensitivity during uninterrupting measurements. This paper presents the development and operation of low-noise amplifiers for five haloscope experiments targeting different frequency ranges and provides design, operational, and performance details of the amplifiers.
Abstract The experimental non-observation of charge-parity (CP) symmetry violation in quantum chromodynamics is commonly referred to as the strong CP problem. The axion, a hypothetical elementary pseudoscalar, is expected to solve the strong CP problem and is also a promising candidate for dark matter. The most sensitive axion search experiments operate at millikelvin temperatures and hence rely on instrumentation that carries signals from a system at cryogenic temperatures to room temperature instrumentation. One of the biggest limiting factors affecting the parameter scanning speed of these detectors is the noise added by the components in the signal detection chain. Since the first amplifier in the chain limits the minimum noise, low-noise amplification is of paramount importance. This paper reports on the operation of a flux-driven Josephson parametric amplifier (JPA) operating at around 2.3 GHz with added noise approaching the quantum limit. The JPA was employed as a first stage amplifier in an experimental setting similar to the ones used in haloscope axion detectors. By operating the JPA at a gain of 19 dB and cascading it with two cryogenic amplifiers operating at 4 K, noise temperatures as low as 120 mK were achieved for the whole signal detection chain.
The axion is a hypothetical particle, a promising candidate for dark matter, and a solution to the strong CP problem.Axion haloscope search experiments deal with a signal power comparable to noise uncertainty at millikelvin temperature.We use a flux-driven Josephson parametric amplifier (JPA) with the aim of approaching a noise level near the theoretically allowed limit of half quanta.In our measurements to characterize the JPA we have found the added noise to the system with a JPA as the first-stage amplifier to be lower than 110 mK at the frequencies from 0.938 GHz to 0.963 GHz.
We present the development of two complementary amplifier architectures for axion haloscope experiments, based on two types of Josephson Parametric Amplifiers (JPAs).The first employs a multi-chip module of flux-driven JPAs in a parallel-series configuration, enabling near quantum-limited amplification over an extended tunable range of between 1.2 and 1.5 GHz.The second design features a lumped-element JPA, offering continuous tunability across a wide frequency range from 2.4 to 4 GHz.Both approaches demonstrate near-quantum-limited noise performance and are compatible with operation in cryogenic environments.These amplifiers significantly enhance the sensitivity and frequency coverage of axion search experiments, and also provide new opportunities for broadband quantum sensing applications.
The cavity haloscope is among the most widely adopted experimental platforms designed to detect dark matter axions with its principle relying on the conversion of axions into microwave photons in the presence of a strong magnetic field. The Josephson parametric amplifier (JPA), known for its quantum-limited noise characteristics, has been incorporated into the detection system to capture the weakly interacting axion signals. However, the performance of the JPA can be influenced by its environment, leading to the potential unreliability of a predefined parameter set obtained in a specific laboratory setting. Furthermore, conducting a broadband search requires the consecutive characterization of the amplifier across different tuning frequencies. To ensure more reliable measurements, we utilize the Nelder–Mead technique as a numerical search method to dynamically determine the optimal operating conditions. This heuristic search algorithm explores the multidimensional parameter space of the JPA, optimizing critical characteristics such as gain and noise temperature to maximize signal-to-noise ratios for a given experimental setup. Our study presents a comprehensive analysis of the properties of a flux-driven JPA to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm. This approach contributes to ongoing efforts in axion dark matter research by offering an efficient method to enhance axion detection sensitivity through the optimized utilization of JPAs.