Scaling superconducting quantum processors is fundamentally limited by the escalating complexity of cryogenic wiring and the debilitating effects of microwave crosstalk and Purcell decay. This paper proposes the concept of frequency-multiplexed millimeter-wave superconducting qubits and demonstrates a novel architecture that integrates an on-chip cryogenic nonreciprocal space-time-periodic superconducting frequency multiplier as a universal control bus for a frequency-multiplexed qubit array. The bus replaces multiple high-frequency XY drive lines with a single low-frequency input tone, which the multiplier converts into a comb of high-order harmonics, each resonantly addressing a distinct qubit. Crucially, the dynamic and nonreciprocal nature of the bus provides signal gain and intrinsic isolation that simultaneously suppresses Purcell decay, enhancing T1 times across all distinct-frequency qubits, and reduces coherent crosstalk by more than two orders of magnitude. The spatiotemporal modulation enables parametric frequency multiplication and creates wave-propagation dynamics analogous to cosmological expansion, with observed redshift-like broadening and deceleration of magnetic-field wavepackets. Theoretical modeling based on a non-Markovian master equation confirms that the engineered memory kernel extends coherence while reshaping the noise spectrum. Full error-budget analysis shows that the architecture maintains gate errors below the fault-tolerance threshold for arrays exceeding 25 qubits, converting a crosstalk-dominated error budget into one limited by intrinsic material coherence. This integrated, frequency-multiplexed, and nonreciprocal control bus therefore offers a path toward unprecedented I/O simplification, noise resilience, and scalable high-coherence quantum processin
Scaling superconducting quantum processors is fundamentally limited by the escalating complexity of cryogenic wiring and the debilitating effects of microwave crosstalk and Purcell decay. This paper proposes the concept of frequency-multiplexed millimeter-wave superconducting qubits and demonstrates a novel architecture that integrates an on-chip cryogenic nonreciprocal space-time-periodic superconducting frequency multiplier as a universal control bus for a frequency-multiplexed qubit array. The bus replaces multiple high-frequency XY drive lines with a single low-frequency input tone, which the multiplier converts into a comb of high-order harmonics, each resonantly addressing a distinct qubit. Crucially, the dynamic and nonreciprocal nature of the bus provides signal gain and intrinsic isolation that simultaneously suppresses Purcell decay, enhancing T1 times across all distinct-frequency qubits, and reduces coherent crosstalk by more than two orders of magnitude. The spatiotemporal modulation enables parametric frequency multiplication and creates wave-propagation dynamics analogous to cosmological expansion, with observed redshift-like broadening and deceleration of magnetic-field wavepackets. Theoretical modeling based on a non-Markovian master equation confirms that the engineered memory kernel extends coherence while reshaping the noise spectrum. Full error-budget analysis shows that the architecture maintains gate errors below the fault-tolerance threshold for arrays exceeding 25 qubits, converting a crosstalk-dominated error budget into one limited by intrinsic material coherence. This integrated, frequency-multiplexed, and nonreciprocal control bus therefore offers a path toward unprecedented I/O simplification, noise resilience, and scalable high-coherence quantum processin
We report on the design and performance of an on-chip microwave circulator with a widely (GHz) tunable operation frequency.Nonreciprocity is created with a combination of frequency conversion and delay, and requires neither permanent magnets nor microwave bias tones, allowing on-chip integration with other superconducting circuits without the need for high-bandwidth control lines.Isolation in the device exceeds 20 dB over a bandwidth of tens of MHz, and its insertion loss is small, reaching as low as 0.9 dB at select operation frequencies.Furthermore, the device is linear with respect to input power for signal powers up to hundreds of fW (≈10 3 circulating photons), and the direction of circulation can be dynamically reconfigured.We demonstrate its operation at a selection of frequencies between 4 and 6 GHz.
Scaling superconducting quantum processors to large qubit counts faces challenges in control-signal delivery, thermal management, and hardware complexity, particularly in achieving microwave signal multiplexing and long-distance quantum information routing at millikelvin temperatures. We propose a space-time modulated Josephson-junction metasurface architecture to generate and multiplex microwave control signals directly at millikelvin temperatures. Theoretical and numerical results demonstrate the generation of multiple frequency tones with controlled parameters, enabling efficient and scalable qubit control while minimizing thermal loads and wiring overhead. We derive the nonlinear wave equation governing this system, simulate beam steering and frequency conversion, and discuss the feasibility of experimental implementation. These results lay the groundwork for a next-generation cryogenic signal-delivery paradigm that may enable scaling of superconducting quantum processors to thousands of qubits without overwhelming limited dilution-refrigerator cooling power.
Nonreciprocal microwave devices, such as circulators and isolators, are needed in high-fidelity qubit readout schemes to unidirectionally route the readout signals and protect the qubits against noise coming from the output chain.However, cryogenic circulators and isolators are prohibitive in scalable superconducting architectures because they rely on magnetic materials.Here we report a fast (750 ns) high-fidelity (95%) quantum nondemolition readout of a coherent superconducting qubit (T 1 = 52 μs, T 2E = 35 μs) without any nonreciprocal magnetic devices.We use in our readout chain a microwave-controlled qubit readout multichip module (QRMCM) that integrates interferometric directional Josephson devices consisting of an isolator and a reconfigurable isolator or amplifier device, and an off-chip low-pass filter.Using the QRMCM, we demonstrate isolation up to 45 dB within 13 MHz, when both directional devices are operated as isolators, and low-noise amplification in excess of 10 dB within a dynamical bandwidth of 10 MHz, when the reconfigurable device is operated as an amplifier.We also investigate the dependence of the qubit coherence times T ϕ and T 2E on the isolation response of the QRMCM, which we control in situ using the microwave drives feeding the isolators.Furthermore, by directly comparing the QRMCM performance with that of a state-of-art configuration (with T 2E ≈ 2T 1 ) that uses a pair of wideband magnetic isolators, we find that the excess pure dephasing measured with the QRMCM (for which T 2E ≈ T 1 ) is likely limited by the residual thermal photon population in the readout resonator.Improved versions of the QRMCM could replace magnetic circulators and isolators in large superconducting quantum processors.
Abstract We introduce space-time-modulated cryogenic-compatible Josephson metasurfaces as a versatile platform for polychromatic qubit coupling and frequency-selective interactions. These metasurfaces, based on arrays of gated superconductor-semiconductor Josephson field-effect transistors (JoFETs), enable dynamic four-dimensional (space-time) control of microwave fields at millikelvin temperatures. Through spatiotemporal modulation of the critical current density, the metasurface generates controllable Floquet harmonics, facilitating frequency conversion, parametric amplification, and nonreciprocal propagation. Full-wave electromagnetic simulations demonstrate selective excitation and multi-frequency state transitions in superconducting qubit arrays, where a photon emitted at frequency is efficiently redirected into multiple target frequencies to mediate long-range interactions between adjacent and non-adjacent qubits. In the circuit quantum electrodynamics framework, this yields an effective polychromatic Hamiltonian supporting frequency-multiplexed exchange couplings while providing spectral isolation that suppresses crosstalk. The engineered non-Markovian environment arising from the space-time modulation offers pathways to enhance qubit coherence times and entanglement fidelity through information backflow and noise suppression. Fabrication pathways using Al-proximitized InAs quantum wells and cryogenic measurement setups are discussed. This work establishes space-time-modulated Josephson metasurfaces as promising hardware enablers for frequency-selective control, improved connectivity, and robust operation in next-generation superconducting quantum systems.
Nonreciprocal microwave devices, such as circulators and isolators, are critical in high-fidelity qubit readout schemes. They unidirectionally route the readout signals and protect the qubits against noise coming from the output chain. However, cryogenic circulators and isolators are prohibitive in scalable superconducting architectures because they rely on magneto-optical effects. Here, we realize an on-chip, single-microwave-pump Josephson ISolator (JIS), formed by coupling two nondegenerate Josephson mixers in an interferometric scheme. We unravel the interplay between the orientation parity of the magnetic fluxes, biasing the mixers, and the JIS directionality. Furthermore, we build a motherboard, which integrates the JIS and other superconducting components, including a Josephson directional amplifier, into a printed circuit and use it to read out a qubit with 92% fidelity, while maintaining 75% of its T2E. Improved versions of this motherboard could replace magnetic circulators and isolators in large superconducting quantum processors.
This paper proposes a scheme and design of cryogenic multiplexing control chip (MCC) which enables one microwave cable to control many superconducting qubits. Designed based on adjustable inductor, MCC is a non-reciprocal device which generates microwave signals between 4 and 8 GHz and constructs XY control circuit to operate qubits. The effects of filters, isolators, power splitters, qubits and load impedance on MCC are analyzed in the frequency-domain simulation. And in time-domain simulation, the response time, Gaussian pulses, single-sideband, amplitude and frequency compensation of MCC are examined. The MCC can be integrated with the superconducting qubits on the same package at 20 mK temperature stage, and output specific microwave pulses used to drive the superconducting qubits without crosstalks. The MCC can greatly reduce the number of microwave control lines and is beneficial to the development of large-scale superconducting quantum processor.