The aluminum single Cooper-pair box (SCB) qubit has demonstrated potential as a candidate for quantum computing. Measurements of coherent manipulation of the relevant SCB states have been demonstrated with various charge and quantum capacitance readout methods. We performed studies of quasiparticle dynamics in an SCB that yielded poisoning probabilities and rates of quasiparticle tunneling processes. Attempts to prevent poisoning with a differential SCB isolated from ground and other quasiparticle sources revealed the possibility for quasiparticle generation on superconducting islands of diminutive size. We have gone on to conduct more advanced measurements of coupled qubits as an important step towards the realization of multi-qubit systems and other precursors that are pivotal in the evolution of reliable quantum computing.The aluminum single Cooper-pair box (SCB) qubit has demonstrated potential as a candidate for quantum computing. Measurements of coherent manipulation of the relevant SCB states have been demonstrated with various charge and quantum capacitance readout methods. We performed studies of quasiparticle dynamics in an SCB that yielded poisoning probabilities and rates of quasiparticle tunneling processes. Attempts to prevent poisoning with a differential SCB isolated from ground and other quasiparticle sources revealed the possibility for quasiparticle generation on superconducting islands of diminutive size. We have gone on to conduct more advanced measurements of coupled qubits as an important step towards the realization of multi-qubit systems and other precursors that are pivotal in the evolution of reliable quantum computing.

Jan 1, 20151 citation

Coupling a quantum dot in an InSb nanowire to a superconducting resonator

Giles Allison, Marcus Larsson, Yasushi Kanai +5 more

Jan 1, 20130 citations

From quantum transport in semiconducting nanowires to hybrid semiconducting-superconducting qubits

Azarin Zarassi

A practical quantum computer demands a physical quantum bit (qubit) that is scalable, has a well-defined initial state, and brings together coherence with reliable control and read-out. A compelling idea is to put together a locally protected Majorana qubit with a superconducting qubit. The superconducting qubit is used to read out the Majorana states while the Majorana qubit may act as a quantum memory. This thesis presents a series of studies on quantum transport in semiconducting nanowires coupled to superconductors to investigate various platforms for realizing Majorana. These studies are followed by microwave measurements on superconducting circuits compatible with semiconducting-superconducting heterostructures. We first evaluate the potential of Ge/Si core/shell nanowires by achieving induced superconductivity as well as estimating spin-orbit coupling. Next we explore the transport mediated by Andreev bound states formed in InSb nanowire quantum. A subgap negative differential conductance is investigated together with the coalescing Andreev resonances at zero bias relevant for the correct interpretation of Majorana experiments done on the same structures. We conclude our studies of semiconducting nanowires by exploring tunnel junctions in Sn-InSb nanowires that are prepared by in-situ shadowing using nearby nanowires and flakes. Tin shells are found to induce a hard superconducting gap persisting up to high magnetic fields. We observe the two-electron charging effect from a small superconducting island of Sn-InSb. This effect is attributed to charge parity stability, which makes this nanowire system an intriguing candidate for superconducting and topological quantum circuits. These Sn-InSb junctions are then used as the nonlinear element in a transmon qubit design where we observe a dispersive coupling between this nanowire Josephson junction and a superconducting resonator. We also present our progress towards building a magnetic field resilient superconducting circuit that allows integration with semiconducting and topological structures. In the last chapter, InSb semiconducting nanowires are utilized as shadow masks prior to superconductor deposition on an InAs quantum well. We study Josephson current properties in Josephson junctions made from these nanowire shadows. Our results point to highly transparent junctions that can be developed further for hybrid superconductor-semiconductor qubit systems.A practical quantum computer demands a physical quantum bit (qubit) that is scalable, has a well-defined initial state, and brings together coherence with reliable control and read-out. A compelling idea is to put together a locally protected Majorana qubit with a superconducting qubit. The superconducting qubit is used to read out the Majorana states while the Majorana qubit may act as a quantum memory. This thesis presents a series of studies on quantum transport in semiconducting nanowires coupled to superconductors to investigate various platforms for realizing Majorana. These studies are followed by microwave measurements on superconducting circuits compatible with semiconducting-superconducting heterostructures. We first evaluate the potential of Ge/Si core/shell nanowires by achieving induced superconductivity as well as estimating spin-orbit coupling. Next we explore the transport mediated by Andreev bound states formed in InSb nanowire quantum. A subgap negative differential conductance is investigated together with the coalescing Andreev resonances at zero bias relevant for the correct interpretation of Majorana experiments done on the same structures. We conclude our studies of semiconducting nanowires by exploring tunnel junctions in Sn-InSb nanowires that are prepared by in-situ shadowing using nearby nanowires and flakes. Tin shells are found to induce a hard superconducting gap persisting up to high magnetic fields. We observe the two-electron charging effect from a small superconducting island of Sn-InSb. This effect is attributed to charge parity stability, which makes this nanowire system an intriguing candidate for superconducting and topological quantum circuits. These Sn-InSb junctions are then used as the nonlinear element in a transmon qubit design where we observe a dispersive coupling between this nanowire Josephson junction and a superconducting resonator. We also present our progress towards building a magnetic field resilient superconducting circuit that allows integration with semiconducting and topological structures. In the last chapter, InSb semiconducting nanowires are utilized as shadow masks prior to superconductor deposition on an InAs quantum well. We study Josephson current properties in Josephson junctions made from these nanowire shadows. Our results point to highly transparent junctions that can be developed further for hybrid superconductor-semiconductor qubit systems.

Jan 20, 20213 citations

Cooper pair transport in arrays of Josephson junctions

J. Zimmer

Feb 5, 20140 citations

Effect of quantum fluctuations on even-odd energy difference in a Cooper-pair box

Roman M. Lutchyn

We study the effect of quantum charge fluctuations on the discrete spectrum of charge states of a small superconducting island (Cooper-pair box) connected to a large finite-size superconductor by a tunnel junction. In particular, we calculate the reduction of the even-odd energy difference $\ensuremath{\delta}E$ due to virtual tunneling of electrons across the junction. We show that the renormalization effects are important for understanding the quasiparticle ``poisoning'' effect because $\ensuremath{\delta}E$ determines the activation energy of a trapped quasiparticle in the Cooper-pair box. We find that renormalization of the activation energy depends on the dimensionless normal-state conductance of the junction ${g}_{T}$ and becomes strong at ${g}_{T}⪢1$ .We study the effect of quantum charge fluctuations on the discrete spectrum of charge states of a small superconducting island (Cooper-pair box) connected to a large finite-size superconductor by a tunnel junction. In particular, we calculate the reduction of the even-odd energy difference $\ensuremath{\delta}E$ due to virtual tunneling of electrons across the junction. We show that the renormalization effects are important for understanding the quasiparticle ``poisoning'' effect because $\ensuremath{\delta}E$ determines the activation energy of a trapped quasiparticle in the Cooper-pair box. We find that renormalization of the activation energy depends on the dimensionless normal-state conductance of the junction ${g}_{T}$ and becomes strong at ${g}_{T}⪢1$.

arXiv:cond-mat/0612473Physical Review BJun 5, 200710 citations

{g}_{T}

and becomes strong at

{g}_{T}⪢1