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arXiv:2603.18666 · Science China Physics Mechanics and Astronomy

On-chip Parametric Amplification in a Double Quantum Dots Circuit

Yong-Qiang Xu, Rui Wu, Si-Si Gu, Shun-Li Jiang, Shu-Kun Ye, Bao-Chuan Wang, Hai-Ou Li, Guang-Can Guo, Chang-Ling Zou, Gang Cao, Guo-Ping Guo

quant-phSubmitted Mar 19, 2026• Announced Mar 20, 2026• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

In microwave-based quantum circuits, including double quantum dots (DQDs), superconducting qubits and spin qubits, parametric amplifiers are indispensable in achieving high-fidelity qubit readouts. Despite its importance, the application of parametric amplifiers is hampered by several challenges, such as high insertion losses, constrained tunability, and a pronounced vulnerability to magnetic fields. Here, we demonstrate an on-site single-atom parametric amplifier (SAPA) within a reconfigurable quantum circuit, which consists of a superconducting microwave cavity and two GaAs gate-defined DQDs. Leveraging the inherent nonlinearity of the DQD, a parametric gain exceeding 11 dB is achieved. This gain contributes to enhance the qubit readout, as evidenced by exceeding two times improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) when employing the DQD-based amplifier for reading out another DQD. Our work not only presents a versatile experimental platform with enhanced readout capabilities in quantum computing, but also introduces alternative choices of parametric amplifiers for a variety of microwave-based quantum circuits.

Journal reference
Yong-Qiang Xu, Rui Wu, Si-Si Gu, et al. On-chip parametric amplification in a double quantum dots circuit [J]. SCIENCE CHINA Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy, 2026, 69 (5): 2026-03-18. 2026-03-19
DOI
10.1007/s11433-025-2889-7
Comments
7 pages, 4 figures

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Josephson parametric amplifiers (JPAs) approaching quantum-limited noise performance have been instrumental in enabling high fidelity readout of superconducting qubits and, recently, semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). We propose that the quantum capacitance arising in electronic two-level systems (the dual of Josephson inductance) can provide an alternative dissipationless nonlinear element for parametric amplification. We experimentally demonstrate phase-sensitive parametric amplification using a QD-reservoir electron transition in a CMOS nanowire split-gate transistor embedded in a 1.8 GHz superconducting lumped-element microwave cavity, achieving parametric gains of -3 to +3 dB, limited by Sisyphus dissipation. Using a semiclassical model, we find an optimized design within current technological capabilities could achieve gains and bandwidths comparable to JPAs, while providing complementary specifications with respect to integration in semiconductor platforms or operation at higher magnetic fields.
Josephson parametric amplifiers (JPAs) approaching quantum-limited noise performance have been instrumental in enabling high fidelity readout of superconducting qubits and, recently, semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). We propose that the quantum capacitance arising in electronic two-level systems (the dual of Josephson inductance) can provide an alternative dissipation-less non-linear element for parametric amplification. We experimentally demonstrate phase-sensitive parametric amplification using a QD-reservoir electron transition in a CMOS nanowire split-gate transistor embedded in a 1.8~GHz superconducting lumped-element microwave cavity, achieving parametric gains of -3 to +3 dB, limited by Sisyphus dissipation. Using a semi-classical model, we find an optimised design within current technological capabilities could achieve gains and bandwidths comparable to JPAs, while providing complementary specifications with respect to integration in semiconductor platforms or operation at higher magnetic fields.
Spins in semiconductor quantum dots hold great promise as building blocks of quantum processors. Trapping them in Si MOS transistorlike devices eases future industrial-scale fabrication. Among the potentially scalable readout solutions, gate-based dispersive radio-frequency reflectometry only requires the already existing transistor gates to read a quantum dot state, which alleviates the need for additional elements. In this effort toward scalability, traveling-wave superconducting parametric amplifiers significantly enhance the readout signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by reducing the noise below that of typical cryogenic low-noise amplifiers, while offering a broad amplification band, essential to multiplex the readout of multiple resonators. In this work, we demonstrate a 3-GHz gate-based reflectometry readout of electron charge states trapped in quantum dots formed in Si MOS multigate devices, with SNR enhanced due to a Josephson traveling-wave parametric amplifier (JTWPA). The broad tunable 2-GHz amplification bandwidth combined with more than 10-dB ON-OFF SNR improvement of the JTWPA enables frequency and time-division-multiplexed readout of interdot transitions, and noise performance consistent with JTWPA characteristics at higher frequencies. In addition, owing to a design without superconducting loops and with a metallic ground plane, the JTWPA is flux insensitive and shows stable performance up to a magnetic field of 1.1 T at the quantum dot device, compatible with standard Si MOS spin-qubit experiments.
A quantum-limited amplifier enables the amplification of weak signals while introducing minimal noise dictated by the principles of quantum mechanics. Such amplifiers serve a broad spectrum of applications in quantum computing, including fast and accurate readout of superconducting qubits and spins, as well as various uses in quantum sensing and metrology. Parametric amplification, primarily developed with use of Josephson junctions, has evolved into the leading technology for highly effective microwave measurements within quantum circuits. Despite their significant contributions, these amplifiers face fundamental limitations, such as their inability to handle high powers, their sensitivity to parasitic magnetic fields, and particularly their limitation to operate only at millikelvin temperatures. To tackle these challenges, here we experimentally develop a novel quantum-limited amplifier based on superconducting kinetic inductance and present an extensive theoretical model to describe this nonlinear coupled-mode system. Our device surpasses the conventional constraints associated with Josephson-junction amplifiers by operating at much higher temperatures up to 4.5 K. With two distinct spectral modes and tunability through bias current, this amplifier can operate selectively in both the single-mode-amplification regime and the double-mode-amplification regime near the quantum noise limit. Using a nonlinear thin film exhibiting kinetic inductance, our device attains gain exceeding 50 dB in a single-mode configuration and 32 dB in a double-mode configuration, while adding 0.82 input-referred noise quanta. Importantly, this amplifier eliminates the need for Josephson junctions, resulting in the capability to handle significantly higher powers than Josephson junction--based amplifiers. It also demonstrates resilience in the presence of magnetic fields, offers a straightforward design, and increases reliability. This positions the amplifier as a versatile solution for quantum applications and facilitates its integration into future superconducting quantum computers.
Double quantum dots (DQDs), sometimes referred to as ``artificial molecules'', are highly controllable quantum systems that serve as building blocks for spin-based quantum computation. A fast, high-fidelity charge sensor is needed for determining the number of electrons trapped in the DQD, and for spin-state readout. Here the authors integrate a Josephson parametric amplifier into the readout chain, improving the signal to noise ratio by a factor of 2000 and enabling live tuning of the DQD potential well, without the slow, painstaking adjustment of voltages on several electrodes.
High-fidelity qubit measurement is a critical element of all quantum computing architectures. In superconducting systems, qubits are typically measured by probing a readout resonator with a weak microwave tone that must be amplified before reaching the room temperature electronics. Superconducting parametric amplifiers have been widely adopted as the first amplifier in the chain, primarily because of their low noise performance, approaching the quantum limit. However, they require isolators and circulators to route signals up the measurement chain and to protect qubits from amplified noise. While these commercial components are wideband and simple to use, their intrinsic loss, size, and magnetic shielding requirements impact overall measurement efficiency and scalability. Here we report a parametric amplifier that achieves both broadband forward amplification and backward isolation in a single, compact, non-magnetic circuit that could be integrated on chip with superconducting qubits. The approach relies on a nonlinear transmission line that supports traveling-wave parametric amplification of forward propagating signals, and isolation via frequency conversion of backward propagating signals. This traveling-wave parametric amplifier and converter has the potential to reduce the readout hardware overhead when scaling up the size of superconducting quantum computers.