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Applied Physics Letters

Microwave SQUID multiplexer

K. D. Irwin, Konrad W. Lehnert

Published Sep 13, 2004• 177 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We describe a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) multiplexer operated at microwave frequencies. The outputs of multiple SQUIDs are simultaneously modulated at different frequencies and summed into the input of one high electron mobility transistor (HEMT). The large bandwidth and dynamic range provided by HEMT amplifiers should make it possible to frequency-division multiplex a large number of SQUIDs in one output coaxial cable. We measure low SQUID noise (∼0.5μΦ0∕Hz at 4K) and demonstrate the multiplexed readout of two direct current (dc) SQUIDs at different resonant frequencies. In this work, dc SQUIDs are used, but this approach is equally applicable to radio-frequency SQUIDs.

DOI
10.1063/1.1791733

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We describe a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) multiplexer operated at microwave frequencies. The outputs of multiple SQUIDs are simultaneously modulated at different frequencies and summed into the input of one high electron mobility transistor (HEMT). The large bandwidth and dynamic range provided by HEMT amplifiers should make it possible to frequency-division multiplex a large number of SQUIDs in one output coaxial cable. We measure low SQUID noise (∼0.5μΦ0∕Hz at 4K) and demonstrate the multiplexed readout of two direct current (dc) SQUIDs at different resonant frequencies. In this work, dc SQUIDs are used, but this approach is equally applicable to radio-frequency SQUIDs.
We present a MHz frequency-division direct-current superconducting quantum interference device (dc-SQUID) multiplexer that is based on flux ramp modulation and a series array of N identical current-sensing dc-SQUIDs with tightly coupled input coil. By running a periodic, sawtooth-shaped current signal through additional modulation coils being tightly but non-uniformly coupled to the individual SQUIDs, the voltage drop across the array changes according to the sum of the flux-to-voltage characteristics of the individual SQUIDs within each cycle of the modulation signal. In this mode of operation, an input signal injected in the input coil of one of the SQUIDs and being quasi-static within a time frame adds a constant flux offset and leads to a phase shift of the associated SQUID characteristics. The latter is proportional to the input signal and can be inferred by channelizing and down-converting the sampled array output voltage. Using a prototype multiplexer as well as custom readout electronics, we demonstrate the simultaneous readout of four signal sources with MHz bandwidth per channel.
We present a MHz frequency-division direct-current superconducting quantum interference device (dc-SQUID) multiplexer that is based on flux ramp modulation and a series array of N identical current-sensing dc-SQUIDs with tightly coupled input coil. By running a periodic, sawtooth-shaped current signal through additional modulation coils being tightly but non-uniformly coupled to the individual SQUIDs, the voltage drop across the array changes according to the sum of the flux-to-voltage characteristics of the individual SQUIDs within each cycle of the modulation signal. In this mode of operation, an input signal injected in the input coil of one of the SQUIDs and being quasi-static within a time frame adds a constant flux offset and leads to a phase shift of the associated SQUID characteristics. The latter is proportional to the input signal and can be inferred by channelizing and down-converting the sampled array output voltage. Using a prototype multiplexer as well as custom readout electronics, we demonstrate the simultaneous readout of four signal sources with MHz bandwidth per channel.
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This thesis describes a multiplexer of Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) with low-noise, ultra-low power dissipation, and great scalability. The multiplexer circuit measures the magnetic flux in a large number of unshunted rf SQUIDs by coupling each SQUID to a superconducting microwave resonator tuned to a unique resonance frequency and driving the resonators from a common feedline. A superposition of microwave tones measures each SQUID simultaneously using only two coaxial cables between the cryogenic device and room temperature. This multiplexer will enable the instrumentation of arrays with hundreds of thousands of low-temperature detectors for new applications in cosmology, materials analysis, and nuclear non-proliferation.\nThe driving application of the Microwave SQUID Multiplexer is the readout of large arrays of superconducting transition-edge sensors, by some figures of merit the most sensitive detectors of electromagnetic signals over a span of more than nine orders of magnitude in energy, from 40 GHz microwaves to 200 keV gamma rays. Modern transition-edge sensors have noise-equivalent power as low as 10-20 W / [square root] Hz and energy resolution as good as 2 eV at 6 keV. These per-pixel sensitivities approach theoretical limits set by the underlying signals, motivating a rapid increase in pixel count to access new science. Compelling applications, like the non-destructive assay of nuclear material for treaty verification or the search for primordial gravity waves from inflation use arrays of these detectors to increase collection area or tile a focal plane.\nWe developed three generations of SQUID multiplexers, optimizing the first for flux noise (0.17 mu Phi0 / [square root] Hz) the second for input current noise (19 pA / [square root] Hz) and the last for practical multiplexing of large arrays of cosmic microwave background polarimeters based on transition-edge sensors. Using the last design we demonstrated multiplexed readout of prototype polarimeters with the performance required for the future development of a large-scale astronomical instrument.
We describe a low-noise, two-stage dc Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID) amplifier that is designed for applications requiring high bandwidth and dynamic range. The output signal of a low-noise SQUID in the input stage coherently modulates a series array of identical SQUIDs in the output stage via a common modulation line. The input stage is designed so its output signal does not produce multiple modulation periods in the output stage. The output stage is designed to have sufficient gain so the output noise is dominated by the amplified noise of the input SQUID and exceeds the noise of a preamplifier in the room temperature readout electronics. The SQUID amplifier may therefore be operated without flux modulation or any impedance matching network, resulting in a large dynamic range and high bandwidth.
We report on the development of a microwave superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) multiplexer to read out arrays of low-temperature detectors. In this frequency-division multiplexer, superconducting resonators with different frequencies couple to a common transmission line and each resonator couples to a different dissipationless SQUID. We demonstrate multiple designs, with high-Q values (4100–18 000), noise as low as 0.17μΦ0∕Hz, and a naturally linear readout scheme based on flux modulation. This multiplexing approach is compatible with superconducting transition-edge sensors and magnetic calorimeters and is capable of multiplexing more than a thousand detectors in a single transmission line.