Parametric frequency converters (PFCs) play a critical role in bridging the frequency gap between quantum information carriers. PFCs in the microwave band are particularly important for superconducting quantum processors, but their operating bandwidth is often strongly limited. Here, we present a multimode kinetic metastructure for parametric frequency conversion between broadly spanning frequency modes. This device comprises a chain of asymmetric kinetic inductance grids designed to deliver efficient three-wave mixing nonlinearity. We demonstrate high efficient coherent conversion among broadly distributed modes, and the mode frequency is continuously tunable by controlling the external magnetic field strength, making it ideally suited for quantum computing and communication applications requiring flexible and efficient frequency conversion.
Parametric frequency converters (PFCs) play a critical role in bridging the frequency gap between quantum information carriers. PFCs in the microwave band are particularly important for superconducting quantum processors, but their operating bandwidth is often strongly limited. Here, we present a multimode kinetic metastructure for parametric frequency conversion between broadly spanning frequency modes. This device comprises a chain of asymmetric kinetic inductance grids designed to deliver efficient three-wave mixing nonlinearity. We demonstrate high efficient coherent conversion among broadly distributed modes, and the mode frequency is continuously tunable by controlling the external magnetic field strength, making it ideally suited for quantum computing and communication applications requiring flexible and efficient frequency conversion.
Parametric converters are parametric amplifiers that mix two spatially separate nondegenerate modes and are commonly used for amplifying and squeezing microwave signals in quantum computing and sensing. In Josephson parametric converters, the strong localized nonlinearity of the Josephson junction limits the amplification and squeezing, as well as the dynamic range, in current devices. In contrast, a weak distributed nonlinearity can provide higher gain and dynamic range, when implemented as a kinetic inductance (KI) nanowire of a dirty superconductor, and has additional benefits such as resilience to magnetic field, higher-temperature operation, and simplified fabrication. Here, we propose, demonstrate, and analyze the performance of a KI parametric converter that relies on the weak distributed nonlinearity of a Nb-Ti-N KI nanowire. The device utilizes three-wave mixing induced by a dc current bias. We demonstrate its operation as a nondegenerate parametric amplifier with high phase-sensitive gain, reaching two-mode amplification and deamplification of approximately 30 dB for two resonances separated by 0.8 GHz, in excellent agreement with our theory of the device. We observe a dynamic range of $\ensuremath{-}108$ dBm at 30 dB gain. Our device can significantly broaden applications of quantum-limited signal processing devices including phase-preserving amplification and two-mode squeezing.
Advancing superconducting quantum devices to higher operating frequencies broadens their functionality and enables operation at elevated temperatures, but it also requires near-quantum-limited amplifiers beyond the few-gigahertz regime. Here we present a junction-free, kinetic-inductance parametric amplifier based on thin-film niobium nitride (NbN) operating at 23 GHz in the microwave K-band, achieving a gain up to 40 dB, a 100 MHz gain-bandwidth product, a 1 dB saturation input power of -85 dBm with 23 dB gain, and added noise no greater than 1.4 quanta for phase-preserving amplification. Leveraging the large superconducting gap of NbN, this architecture can be extended to even higher frequencies, supporting applications such as high-fidelity readout of millimeter-wave superconducting qubits and axion searches over an expanded mass window.
Local oscillator sources have become a major technological deficit approaching the terahertz frequencies. For applications, where a narrow linewidth is necessary, such as coherent remote sensing, the best solution to signal generation is frequency multiplication, where phase locking can be easily achieved using the fundamental source. We present an alternative to existing frequency multiplier technologies for cryogenic applications. The device is a superconducting waveguide that has kinetic inductance dependent on the rf current through the device. The nonlinear kinetic inductance is anomalous to a nonlinear optical medium, where the Kerr effect causes 3- or 4-wave mixing, as demonstrated in microwave parametric amplifiers utilizing the same nonlinear effect. In 4-wave mixing, three photons at the fundamental frequency are mixed to generate a single photon at the third harmonic. Dispersion engineering is used to achieve wideband phase matching and phase out harmonics higher than the third. The device length is designed to be the point where most photons are up-converted to the third harmonic. Simulations of these devices lead to expected efficiencies as high as 90%. We report results from a NbTiN frequency multiplier from 34.2 to 104 GHz with efficiency better than 50%.
Advancing superconducting quantum devices to higher operating frequencies broadens their functionality and enables operation at elevated temperatures, but it also requires near-quantum-limited amplifiers beyond the few-gigahertz regime. Here, we present a junction-free, kinetic-inductance parametric amplifier based on thin-film niobium nitride (NbN) operating at 23 GHz in the microwave K-band, achieving a gain up to 40 dB, a 100 MHz gain–bandwidth product, a 1 dB saturation input power of −85 dBm with 23 dB gain, and added noise not greater than 1.4 quanta for phase-preserving amplification. Leveraging the large superconducting gap of NbN, this architecture can be extended to even higher frequencies, supporting applications such as high-fidelity readout of millimeter-wave superconducting qubits and axion searches over an expanded mass window.
In superconducting electronics, the ability to control the frequency of microwave wave packets is crucial for several applications, such as the operation of superconducting quantum processors and the readout of superconducting sensors. We introduce a new approach to microwave frequency conversion that harnesses a dynamic Doppler effect induced by a propagating front that separates regions of different phase velocities. Employing a high-kinetic-inductance superconducting transmission line in a travelling-wave geometry, we were able to implement frequency shifts of microwave wave packets at 500MHz and 4GHz of up to 3.7% while fully preserving their temporal shape. In contrast to conventional methods based on frequency-mixing, our Doppler-induced frequency-conversion method avoids spurious mixing products, is continuously tunable by a quasi-dc current amplitude, and allows to imprint arbitrary patterns on the instantaneous frequency profile of temporally long wave packets. By engineering transmission lines that allow for larger phase-velocity changes and/or by cascading multiple Doppler-induced frequency conversions, an unlimited amount of frequency shifting is in principle attainable. These features demonstrate the potential of our frequency-conversion technique as a promising tool for advanced control of microwave wave packets for different quantum applications.
In this work, we have designed, fabricated, and characterized two coupled superconducting microwave resonators.\n\nUsing this system, we investigate a parametric frequency conversion process in the microwave regime. We modulate the resonance frequency at the difference frequency between two modes, i.e. by three-wave mixing. An incoming signal, resonant with one of the modes, is then converted to the other mode. We demonstrate this behavior in several different schemes, e.g. using one or two modulation tones. We report a conversion efficiency of 50%, meaning that 50% of the incoming wave amplitude gets converted to the other frequency.\n\nFinally, we discuss the possibilities to use such a system in a quantum computing architecture.