Abstract The detailed characteristics of classical states in a radio-frequency superconducting quantum interference device (rf-SQUID) with well-designed energy-potential shape are investigated at 4.2 K. Using Nb/AlO x standard process which enables precise circuit-parameter implementation, the rf-SQUID is designed in its energy potential. Directions of persistent current can be distinguished in the rf-SQUID we have fabricated. Analyses in circuit simulations indicate the device design based on enough high critical current provides available parameters to construct the device for 10 mK measurement by circuit-parameter scaling. This knowledge may contribute to the precise design of the rf-SQUID for superconducting qubit through device process with lower critical current density.
Abstract The detailed characteristics of classical states in a radio-frequency superconducting quantum interference device (rf-SQUID) with well-designed energy-potential shape are investigated at 4.2 K. Using Nb/AlO x standard process which enables precise circuit-parameter implementation, the rf-SQUID is designed in its energy potential. Directions of persistent current can be distinguished in the rf-SQUID we have fabricated. Analyses in circuit simulations indicate the device design based on enough high critical current provides available parameters to construct the device for 10 mK measurement by circuit-parameter scaling. This knowledge may contribute to the precise design of the rf-SQUID for superconducting qubit through device process with lower critical current density.
A rf--superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) flux qubit that is robust against fabrication variations in Josephson-junction critical currents and device inductance has been implemented. Measurements of the persistent current and of the tunneling energy between the two lowest-lying states, both in the coherent and incoherent regimes, are presented. These experimental results are shown to be in agreement with predictions of a quantum-mechanical Hamiltonian whose parameters were independently calibrated, thus justifying the identification of this device as a flux qubit. In addition, measurements of the flux and critical current noise spectral densities are presented that indicate that these devices with Nb wiring are comparable to the best Al wiring rf SQUIDs reported in the literature thus far, with a 1/f flux noise spectral density at 1 Hz of ${1.3}_{\ensuremath{-}0.5}^{+0.7}\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}{\ensuremath{\Phi}}_{0}/\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$. An explicit formula for converting the observed flux noise spectral density into a free-induction-decay time for a flux qubit biased to its optimal point and operated in the energy eigenbasis is presented.
We present the design, fabrication, and characterization of a barrier-tunable superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) qubit for the study of Maxwell’s demon experiment. In this work, a compound Josephson junction (CJJ) radio-frequency (RF)-SQUID qubit with an overdamped resistively shunted direct-current (DC)-SQUID magnetometer is used to continuously monitor the state of the qubit. The circuit is successfully fabricated with the standard Nb/Al-AlO x /Nb trilayer process of our laboratory and characterized in a low noise measurement system, which is capable of measuring coherent dynamics of superconducting qubits, in an Oxford dilution refrigerator. All circuit parameters are determined accurately by fitting experimental data to theoretical analysis and simulation, which allows us to make a quantitative comparison between the results of the experiment and theory.
At an extremely low temperature of 20 mK, we measured the loop current in a tunable rf superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) with a dc-SQUID. By adjusting the magnetic flux applied to the rf-SQUID loop ( Φ f ) and the small dc-SQUID ( Φ f cjj ), respectively, the potential shape of the system can be fully controlled in situ . Variation in the transition step and overlap size in the switching current with a barrier flux bias are analyzed, from which we can obtain some relevant device parameters and build a model to explain the experimental phenomenon.
At an extremely low temperature of 20 mK, we measured the loop current in a tunable rf superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) with a dc-SQUID. By adjusting the magnetic flux applied to the rf-SQUID loop (Φ f ) and the small dc-SQUID (Φ cjj f ), respectively, the potential shape of the system can be fully controlled in situ. Variation in the transition step and overlap size in the switching current with a barrier flux bias are analyzed, from which we can obtain some relevant device parameters and build a model to explain the experimental phenomenon.
We measured the amplitude–frequency characteristics of radio frequency superconducting quantum interference devices (rf SQUIDs) over a temperature range between 65 and 79 K. Using the expressions derived from the recently developed rf SQUID theory, valid also at large thermal fluctuations, we determined from these data the basic parameters of high-transition-temperature superconductor (HTS) rf SQUIDs. These parameters were: (a) the high-frequency coupling coefficient between the rf SQUID and the tank circuit resonator, k, (b) the SQUIDs hysteretic parameter, β, (c) the critical current of the Josephson junction, Ic, (d) its normal resistance, Rn, and (e) its noise parameter, Γ. We found a good agreement with the values of β(Ic) and Rn determined directly after destructively opening the SQUID loop. In accordance with the theoretical predictions, our experimental results show that at large thermal fluctuation levels (T≅77 K), rf SQUIDs with large loop inductance operate in nonhysteretic mode up to β values exceeding 3. Furthermore, we have shown that the optimal energy sensitivity is attained in the nonhysteretic mode at a value of β distinctly higher than 1. A quantitative comparison of white noise predicted by the theory with that obtained from the experiment showed a reasonable agreement. We also discussed the contribution of the phase information to the SQUID’s signal and noise at optimum operation conditions, when a mixer was used as a signal detector.
We report on the development and test of an integrated system composed of a flux qubit and a rapid single-flux quantum (RSFQ) circuit that allows qubit manipulation. The goal is to demonstrate the feasibility of control electronics integrated on the same chip as the qubit, in view of the application in quantum computation with superconducting devices. RSFQ logic relies on the storage and transmission of magnetic flux quanta and can be profitably used with superconducting qubits because of the speed, scalability, compatibility with the qubit fabrication process and low temperature environment. While standard RSFQ circuitry is well assessed, the application to quantum computing requires a complete rescaling of parameter values, in order to preserve the qubit coherence and reduce the power dissipation. In the system presented in this paper, the qubit role is played by a superconducting loop interrupted by a small dc SQUID, usually called a double SQUID, which behaves as a tunable rf-SQUID. Its energy potential has the shape of a double well, with the barrier between the wells controlled by magnetic flux applied to the inner dc SQUID. Here for the first time we report measurements at a base temperature of 370 mK in which flux control pulses with desired characteristics were supplied by a RSFQ circuit fabricated using non-standard parameters in the same chip as the qubit.