Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Superconductor Science and Technology

Quantum dynamics of a microwave-driven SQUID

C. Cosmelli, P. Carelli, Maria Gabriella Castellano, F. Chiarello, G. Palazzi, M di Bucchianico, Roberto Leoni, Stefano Poletto, G. Torrioli

Published Oct 31, 2003• 7 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In recent years, the quantum behaviour of Josephson devices has been the object of thorough experimental investigation, mainly with the objective of studying quantum mechanics in macroscopic objects. At present, the same quantum properties are being exploited with the aim of the physical implementation of quantum bits and quantum registers. Here we present measurements on a system containing potential qubits, namely a rf SQUID and a hysteretic dc SQUID, magnetically coupled, under microwave excitation; the devices are realized on a single chip with trilayer Nb/AlO x /Nb technology. On this system we have performed a set of measurements to test the dc SQUID response to short pulses of microwaves ranging from 2 to 32 GHz. A first analysis of our results indicates the presence of population oscillations in the hysteretic dc SQUID. This result is very promising in view of using SQUIDs for more complex qubits systems.

DOI
10.1088/0953-2048/16/12/003

Related papers

An integrated system of SQUIDs for the study of macroscopic quantum coherence

C. Cosmelli, Maria Gabriella Castellano, Roberto Leoni +3 more

The observation and study of macroscopic quantum coherence (MQC), i.e. the coherent superposition and evolution of macroscopically distinct quantum states, is of great importance for both our understanding of nature and for quantum engineering, for example in quantum computing. Recently a first indication of MQC in a system of SQUIDs has been indirectly observed by means of spectroscopic techniques. Applications like quantum computing, however, require the manipulation and the observation of the time evolution of the MQC states. We have realized a system of SQUIDs for the study of MQC. Our system, based on trilayer Nb/AlOx/Nb technology, consists of a double rf-SQUID, source of the MQC state, inductively coupled to a non-hysteretic dc-SQUID magnetometer and to a hysteretic dc-SQUID threshold detector, used for the read-out of the magnetic flux state. The magnetometer is used to test and monitor the rf-SQUID behaviour, while the hysteretic dc-SQUID is used to perform fast measurements with a reduced back action on the rf-SQUID. We present measurements performed at 4.2 K and at 20 mK to characterize the single devices and their overall behaviour, and a scheme for the use of a set of SQUIDs as a qubit system.

Superconductor Science and Technology•Nov 21, 2001•7 citations

Macroscopic quantum device based on a rf SQUID system

C. Granata, Valentina Corato, Luigi Longobardi +4 more

The growing amount of theoretical interest in the area of quantum computing have stimulated in recent years research with the aim of developing a corresponding technology. Superconducting Josephson systems appear to be among the most promising candidates. We present the characterization of a fully integrated Josephson device consisting of an RF SQUID coupled to a readout system based on a dc SQUID sensor. We report measurements of the dc SQUID performances showing a high intrinsic responsivity and a low flux noise, giving a good signal to noise ratio in the small signal mode. In the classical regime data on the decay rate from the metastable flux states of RF SQUID are also reported. The low dissipation level and the good insulation of the probe from the external noise are encouraging in view of macroscopic quantum experiments. Work is in progress to improve the design of the device to increase its application capability toward the quantum regime.

IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity•Jun 1, 2003•2 citations

A hysteretic dc SQUID reading the flux states of an rf SQUID

C. Cosmelli, P. Carelli, Maria Gabriella Castellano +3 more

We have realized a hysteretic dc SQUID to measure the flux states of a rf SQUID inductively coupled to the hysteretic dc SQUID. This type of measurement is required whenever is necessary to make a non invasive measure of the state of the rf SQUID. This is the case of measurements of macroscopic quantum coherence or measurements on q-bits systems. With the proposed set up the hysteretic dc SQUID can switch from the superconducting to the normal state depending on the total applied magnetic flux. On this system we measured at 4.2 K the change on the switching probability of the dc SQUID by varying the flux state of the rf SQUID. The experimental results agree very well with the theoretical predictions showing that this device can be used to perform non invasive measurements of the rf SQUID flux state.

IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity•Mar 1, 2001•12 citations

Studies of Quantum Transitions of Magnetic Flux in a RF Squid Qubit

Luigi Longobardi

At low temperature and low damping, the magnetic flux of a rf Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID) acts as a macroscopic quantum variable whose dynamic is described by a double well potential. A rf SQUID consists of a superconducting loop interrupted by a thin insulating barrier, known as a Josephson junction. The modified rf SQUID design discussed in this thesis has independent, in situ, controls that allow varying the barrier height between the potential wells and their relative tilt. This high level of control of the potential together with the capability to implement an experimental setup optimized to reduce coupling to external sources of noise, made this system ideal not only for tests of quantum transition at a macroscopic level, but also as a scalable solid state device for quantum computation. A variety of measurements of quantum phenomena are reported in this thesis, including microwave level spectroscopy, coherent oscillations, and macroscopic resonant tunneling (MRT). These measurements are compared with theoretical models to study the possible sources of decoherence in a rf SQUID qubit. The analysis confirmed that the main source of decoherence is not due to coupling to the external environment, but it can be linked to intrinsic low frequency flux noise. Work from many groups over the last several years has shown that the performance of a superconductive qubit is limited by coupling to spurious defects in the materials used for the device fabrication. In this work we analyze the possibility of using the MRT as a tool for future studies of effects of materials and fabrication process in the realization of improved qubits, and we also explore the feasibility for measurements of quantum phenomena that involve fast pulsing of the potential barrier height.

•Oct 22, 2010•0 citations

Stroboscopic single-shot detection of the flux state in a radio frequency superconducting quantum interference device

C. Cosmelli, F. Sciamanna, Maria Gabriella Castellano +4 more

The flux states of a rf superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) can be used to investigate macroscopic quantum effects, the most challenging of which is the detection of quantum coherent oscillations, and are promising candidates for the implementation of quantum computing. The use of a proper readout system is of utmost importance for these purposes. In this letter we present experimental evidence of the possibility of using an underdamped, hysteretic dc SQUID to read out stroboscopically the flux states of a rf SQUID, allowing a single shot discrimination with an efficiency of 98%. The devices are all integrated on chip.

Applied Physics Letters•Apr 29, 2002•14 citations

Metastability in a nanobridge-based hysteretic dc SQUID embedded in a superconducting microwave resonator

Eran Segev, Oren Suchoi, Oleg Shtempluck +2 more

We study the metastable response of a highly hysteretic dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) made of a niobium loop interrupted by two nanobridges. We excite the SQUID with an alternating current and with direct magnetic flux, and find different stability zones forming diamond-like structures in the measured voltage across the SQUID. When such a SQUID is embedded in a transmission line resonator, similar diamond structures are observed in the reflection pattern of the resonator. We calculate the dc-SQUID stability diagram in the plane of the exciting control parameters, both analytically and numerically. In addition, we obtain numerical simulations of the SQUID equations of motion, taking into account temperature variations and nonsinusoidal current-phase relation of the nanobridges. Good agreement is found between experimental and theoretical results.

arXiv:1007.5225•Physical Review B•Mar 17, 2011•4 citations
In recent years, the quantum behaviour of Josephson devices has been the object of thorough experimental investigation, mainly with the objective of studying quantum mechanics in macroscopic objects. At present, the same quantum properties are being exploited with the aim of the physical implementation of quantum bits and quantum registers. Here we present measurements on a system containing potential qubits, namely a rf SQUID and a hysteretic dc SQUID, magnetically coupled, under microwave excitation; the devices are realized on a single chip with trilayer Nb/AlO x /Nb technology. On this system we have performed a set of measurements to test the dc SQUID response to short pulses of microwaves ranging from 2 to 32 GHz. A first analysis of our results indicates the presence of population oscillations in the hysteretic dc SQUID. This result is very promising in view of using SQUIDs for more complex qubits systems.
The observation and study of macroscopic quantum coherence (MQC), i.e. the coherent superposition and evolution of macroscopically distinct quantum states, is of great importance for both our understanding of nature and for quantum engineering, for example in quantum computing. Recently a first indication of MQC in a system of SQUIDs has been indirectly observed by means of spectroscopic techniques. Applications like quantum computing, however, require the manipulation and the observation of the time evolution of the MQC states. We have realized a system of SQUIDs for the study of MQC. Our system, based on trilayer Nb/AlOx/Nb technology, consists of a double rf-SQUID, source of the MQC state, inductively coupled to a non-hysteretic dc-SQUID magnetometer and to a hysteretic dc-SQUID threshold detector, used for the read-out of the magnetic flux state. The magnetometer is used to test and monitor the rf-SQUID behaviour, while the hysteretic dc-SQUID is used to perform fast measurements with a reduced back action on the rf-SQUID. We present measurements performed at 4.2 K and at 20 mK to characterize the single devices and their overall behaviour, and a scheme for the use of a set of SQUIDs as a qubit system.
The growing amount of theoretical interest in the area of quantum computing have stimulated in recent years research with the aim of developing a corresponding technology. Superconducting Josephson systems appear to be among the most promising candidates. We present the characterization of a fully integrated Josephson device consisting of an RF SQUID coupled to a readout system based on a dc SQUID sensor. We report measurements of the dc SQUID performances showing a high intrinsic responsivity and a low flux noise, giving a good signal to noise ratio in the small signal mode. In the classical regime data on the decay rate from the metastable flux states of RF SQUID are also reported. The low dissipation level and the good insulation of the probe from the external noise are encouraging in view of macroscopic quantum experiments. Work is in progress to improve the design of the device to increase its application capability toward the quantum regime.
We have realized a hysteretic dc SQUID to measure the flux states of a rf SQUID inductively coupled to the hysteretic dc SQUID. This type of measurement is required whenever is necessary to make a non invasive measure of the state of the rf SQUID. This is the case of measurements of macroscopic quantum coherence or measurements on q-bits systems. With the proposed set up the hysteretic dc SQUID can switch from the superconducting to the normal state depending on the total applied magnetic flux. On this system we measured at 4.2 K the change on the switching probability of the dc SQUID by varying the flux state of the rf SQUID. The experimental results agree very well with the theoretical predictions showing that this device can be used to perform non invasive measurements of the rf SQUID flux state.
At low temperature and low damping, the magnetic flux of a rf Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID) acts as a macroscopic quantum variable whose dynamic is described by a double well potential. A rf SQUID consists of a superconducting loop interrupted by a thin insulating barrier, known as a Josephson junction. The modified rf SQUID design discussed in this thesis has independent, in situ, controls that allow varying the barrier height between the potential wells and their relative tilt. This high level of control of the potential together with the capability to implement an experimental setup optimized to reduce coupling to external sources of noise, made this system ideal not only for tests of quantum transition at a macroscopic level, but also as a scalable solid state device for quantum computation. A variety of measurements of quantum phenomena are reported in this thesis, including microwave level spectroscopy, coherent oscillations, and macroscopic resonant tunneling (MRT). These measurements are compared with theoretical models to study the possible sources of decoherence in a rf SQUID qubit. The analysis confirmed that the main source of decoherence is not due to coupling to the external environment, but it can be linked to intrinsic low frequency flux noise. Work from many groups over the last several years has shown that the performance of a superconductive qubit is limited by coupling to spurious defects in the materials used for the device fabrication. In this work we analyze the possibility of using the MRT as a tool for future studies of effects of materials and fabrication process in the realization of improved qubits, and we also explore the feasibility for measurements of quantum phenomena that involve fast pulsing of the potential barrier height.
The flux states of a rf superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) can be used to investigate macroscopic quantum effects, the most challenging of which is the detection of quantum coherent oscillations, and are promising candidates for the implementation of quantum computing. The use of a proper readout system is of utmost importance for these purposes. In this letter we present experimental evidence of the possibility of using an underdamped, hysteretic dc SQUID to read out stroboscopically the flux states of a rf SQUID, allowing a single shot discrimination with an efficiency of 98%. The devices are all integrated on chip.
We study the metastable response of a highly hysteretic dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) made of a niobium loop interrupted by two nanobridges. We excite the SQUID with an alternating current and with direct magnetic flux, and find different stability zones forming diamond-like structures in the measured voltage across the SQUID. When such a SQUID is embedded in a transmission line resonator, similar diamond structures are observed in the reflection pattern of the resonator. We calculate the dc-SQUID stability diagram in the plane of the exciting control parameters, both analytically and numerically. In addition, we obtain numerical simulations of the SQUID equations of motion, taking into account temperature variations and nonsinusoidal current-phase relation of the nanobridges. Good agreement is found between experimental and theoretical results.