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Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements

New drive system for programmable Josephson voltage standard using pulse packet bias

Michitaka Maruyama, Chiharu Urano, Nobu‐Hisa Kaneko

Published Jul 1, 2012• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

We propose a new method for transient-error-free AC voltage waveform synthesis using a programmable Josephson voltage standard (PJVS) array. Stepwise-approximated sinusoidal waveforms generated using PJVS can be potential tools for AC voltage calibration or related applications. However, the transient error caused by the transitions between quantized voltage steps is a crucial problem for some applications. By driving a PJVS array using high-speed periodical pulse packets and conventional DC biases, the influence of the transitions can essentially be eliminated. This paper describes the basic idea of our new method for driving a PJVS array.

DOI
10.1109/cpem.2012.6250655

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We propose a new method for transient-error-free AC voltage waveform synthesis using a programmable Josephson voltage standard (PJVS) array. Stepwise-approximated sinusoidal waveforms generated using PJVS can be potential tools for AC voltage calibration or related applications. However, the transient error caused by the transitions between quantized voltage steps is a crucial problem for some applications. By driving a PJVS array using high-speed periodical pulse packets and conventional DC biases, the influence of the transitions can essentially be eliminated. This paper describes the basic idea of our new method for driving a PJVS array.
We are developing a system for precise AC waveform synthesis in a frequency range below kilo-hertz using a programmable Josephson voltage standard (PJVS). Our PJVS circuit is composed of 65 536 NbN-based over-damped Josephson junctions and operated at a temperature of 9-10 K with a mechanical cooler. We succeeded in generating stepwise-approximated sinusoidal waveforms with peek voltage amplitude of 2 V using a 10-bit PJVS circuit and a bias source with twelve 12-bit digital-to-analog converters. Rough estimations suggest the transient time between each step in the obtained waveforms is less than 5 μs, sufficient for sampling measurements.
Quantum Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs) based on programmable Josephson array (PJVS) represent the most advanced devices currently employed in ac voltage calibrations. Pulse-driven Josephson technology, compared to PJVS, provides cleaner and faster voltage signals and is the main topic of frontier developments. Although the extension of PJVS frequency range appears to be arduous, some enhancement are still practicable. In this work we demonstrate the possibility of synthesizing stepwise quantum voltage waveforms with half of the bias lines and fewer Josephson junctions by exploiting both first and second Shapiro steps, with no losses in terms of performances.
Quantum digital-to-analog converters (DACs) based on programmable Josephson array [Programmable Josephson Voltage Standard (PJVS)] represent the most widely used quantum standard in ac voltage calibrations. The extension of PJVS frequency above the kilohertz range appears to be arduous; however, some enhancements are still practicable. In this work, we demonstrate the possibility to advantageously operate a conventional binary-divided PJVS array with a reduced number of bias lines. This feature is achieved by exploiting both the first and the second Shapiro steps along with nonconventional DAC codings. Two newly devised bias techniques are described in detail and preliminary experimental tests on waveform synthesis have been carried out and are presented here.
The past few decades have witnessed great progress being made from the first voltage standards based on arrays of Josephson junctions. Continuous improvements in the fabrication process have increased the quality and “user-friendliness” of these superconducting circuits. Combined with the improvements in measuring electronics, the range of applications of Josephson-based measurements with unmatched precision has extended from DC into AC voltage metrology for signal frequencies up to 500 kHz. In this poster we will present several Josephson-based measurement systems developed for metrology applications. Two versions of quantum AC standards will be used as Josephson references: Programmable Josephson Voltage Standards (PJVS), which are based on serial arrays with up to 300,000 Josephson junctions, and pulse-driven arrays with more than 50,000 junctions, typically referred to as Josephson Arbitrary Waveform Synthesizers (JAWS). PJVS can reach amplitudes of up to 80 V, while pulse-driven arrays can reach up to 1 V or even 4 V. The advantage of pulse-driven Josephson voltage standards is that they are ideally suited as quantum-based voltage synthesizers for arbitrary waveforms or sine waves with high spectral purity. Therefore, they can be used directly to characterize or calibrate ADCs. In addition, JAWS are particularly useful in Josephson impedance bridges, which perform automated impedance calibrations at the 10-9 uncertainty level over a wide frequency range from 50 Hz to 80 kHz in a single bridge. We will further show how PJVS are used in commercial quantum voltmeters for DC and AC voltages and are typically used as quantum voltage references in measurement systems. Using differential sampling based on PJVS, uncertainties at the level of a few parts in 108 for frequencies up to the kHz range can be achieved. Such quantum-based AC voltage calibrations are at least 30 times faster than conventional AC-DC transfer and offer even better uncertainties. This idea has been quickly adopted by many National Metrology Institutes to establish such systems for AC voltage calibrations. As an example, the BIPM will now start worldwide onsite comparisons to ensure the uniformity of the new method which we introduced in 2006. But developments continue. Recently, a sub-sampling technique was used to extend the frequency range of the AC quantum voltmeter to up to 100 kHz with uncertainties below 5 parts in 106. In addition, a novel method, also for differential sampling, enables the measurement of arbitrary waveforms and the calibration of specific tones. Our poster will provide an overview of these Josephson-based metrological applications and present the latest developments from this fast-developing area.
This paper addresses the effect of transients on the operation of a 1-V programmable Josephson voltage standard for frequencies ranging between 125 Hz and 4 kHz. A detrimental effect of the transients occurring during the transition between different voltage steps is to make the ac Josephson voltage dependent on the bias current in the junctions. In other words, the current margins where the array behaves as a quantum standard are reduced to zero: the voltage steps have a slope. However, by using square waveforms, the effect of the transients can be reduced to a level where this slope is no longer measurable. This observation will probably lead to a simplification in the development of a new type of high-precision Josephson-based waveform synthesizer.
Abstract The Programmable Josephson Voltage Standard (PJVS) is a benchmark device based on the Josephson effect, and capable of outputting a series of high-precision DC or stepped sinusoidal voltages on demand. Combined with differential sampling techniques, the PJVS holds broad application prospects in the field of precision voltage measurement. The bias power supply is a core component of the PJVS. By controlling the magnitudes of bias currents across each segment of the Josephson junction array, the state of the Shapiro steps of each segment is regulated independently. This ultimately combines to output a programmable, precise quantum voltage. A current-type bias power supply scheme for the PJVS system is proposed, based on the negative feedback principle, and the hardware circuitry for a multi-channel current bias power supply is developed. To enhance the transient and steady-state performance of the current bias power supply, this study employs high-speed bipolar digital-to-analogue converters and high-bandwidth negative feedback loop technology to develop an independently programmable multi-channel low-noise current bias power supply. To address the issue of hardware interface resource allocation for a multi-channel current bias power supply, the hardware circuit employs an SPI communication wiring multiplexing strategy. To address the challenge of synchronizing multiple channels. The software program utilizes an interactive approach between the write and refresh modules to control DAC outputs. This achieves a hybrid mechanism combining parallel and serial multi-channel control. Stability testing for a 10 Ω load yields an average short-term stability of 400 nA / min. The multi-channel current bias power supply fulfils the experimental specifications of the PJVS system.