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Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements

Real-time quantum-accurate voltage waveform synthesis

Jane Ireland, Stephen Protheroe, Jonathan M. J. Williams, Allan Belcher, Ronald Dekker, Kars Schaapman, Ricardo Iuzzolino, Rodrigo A. Melo, Bruno Valinoti, Marcos Eduardo Bierzychudek, Martin Šíra, Jonas Herick, Oliver Kieler, Ralf Behr

Published Aug 1, 2020• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A pulse drive system capable of converting an arbitrary input signal into a delta sigma encoded pulse code stream in real time has been demonstrated. This system is based on the use of analog and digital hardware controlled by a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) rather than using software to produce the delta sigma code and then loading it into the memory of a commercial Pulse Pattern Generator (PPG). The results of using the system to drive a Josephson junction array to synthesize quantum-accurate voltage waveforms are presented. The advantage of such a system includes the significant reduction in time required to change waveform parameters. This provides an easily tunable source of high-fidelity stable voltage waveforms at low temperature for future applications including validation of components for use in quantum technologies.

DOI
10.1109/cpem49742.2020.9191715

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Quantum-accurate arbitrary voltage waveforms have been generated using electrical pulse driven Josephson junction arrays (JJAs) by several groups [1, 2]. An alternative method is to use optoelectronic components to convert the electrical pulse drive into an optical signal which is subsequently converted by a photodiode into an electrical drive signal connected directly to the JJA. This optoelectronic pulse drive system has several advantages. Due to the electrical isolation between electrical pulse drive and JJA, it is possible to connect several arrays in series without the requirement for complex electrical compensation circuits. This allows larger output voltages to be realized. An optoelectronic drive also offers the ability to easily tune pulse height, via continuous optical attenuation, allowing the drive signal to be tuned to the middle of the JJA constant voltage step giving optimum operation margins. We here present an optoelectronic pulse drive which forms part of a system incorporating a JJA and delta sigma feedback loop [3] for quantum-accurate digitization of arbitrary voltage waveforms. Results showing the generation of quantum-accurate voltages synchronized to the feedback loop master clock are presented.
We have developed a Josephson digital-to-analog converter, otherwise know as a Josephson arbitrary waveform synthesizer, with 300 mV peak output voltage. This is the first system of its kind with demonstrated quantum accuracy. We show precision synthesized waveforms from dc to 100 kHz with measured distortion and harmonic content below 115 dBc (dB below the carrier or fundamental). The heart of the system is a superconducting microwave integrated circuit with two Josephson junction arrays biased in parallel for the microwave drive and connected in series to double the voltage for the audio frequency output waveforms. New superconducting integrated circuits with twice as many stacked junctions and improved microwave circuits have allowed us to more than double the output voltage of our recent system. We also demonstrate that quantum-based synthesized arbitrary waveforms (not just sine waves) can be used for precision measurements of a high-performance commercial analog-to-digital converter.