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IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity

Advanced FLUXONICS Process CJ2 Based on Sub-µm-Sized Cross-Type Nb/AlOx/Nb Josephson Junctions for Mixed Signal Circuits

J. Kunert, Matthias Schmelz, Katja Peiselt, G. Oelsner, S. G. Reddy, Thomas Ortlepp, Ronny Stolz

Published Jan 16, 2024• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum computers represent a prominent example of technology harnessing quantum phenomena for practical applications. Implementations based on superconducting solid-state qubits play a leading role. These have facilitated the implementation of the first commercially viable quantum computers through the use of well-established and scalable fabrication technologies. As the number of qubits in these systems is continuously increasing, there is an urgent need to advance wiring and integration methods. Specifically, the demand for high-frequency control and readout lines within the millikelvin coolers introduces unwanted heat load. As a scalable alternative, superconducting digital electronics has been proposed as a promising candidate for direct interfacing with superconducting quantum circuits. We, therefore, advanced our well-established cross-type, sub-micrometer-sized Nb-based Josephson junction technology for analog circuits to allow for the implementation of digital circuits. Thus, an advanced mixed signal process CJ2 hosts both, analog and digital circuits, on a single chip, using Josephson junctions of a wide critical current range. We discuss the technology and the realization of first circuits as well as results of basic logic gate and dc-SQUID operations. This advanced technology CJ2 enables the development of digital interfaces for quantum circuits by academic and industrial partners in the framework of the European FLUXONICS foundry.

DOI
10.1109/tasc.2024.3355024

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Quantum computers represent a prominent example of technology harnessing quantum phenomena for practical applications. Implementations based on superconducting solid-state qubits play a leading role. These have facilitated the implementation of the first commercially viable quantum computers through the use of well-established and scalable fabrication technologies. As the number of qubits in these systems is continuously increasing, there is an urgent need to advance wiring and integration methods. Specifically, the demand for high-frequency control and readout lines within the millikelvin coolers introduces unwanted heat load. As a scalable alternative, superconducting digital electronics has been proposed as a promising candidate for direct interfacing with superconducting quantum circuits. We, therefore, advanced our well-established cross-type, sub-micrometer-sized Nb-based Josephson junction technology for analog circuits to allow for the implementation of digital circuits. Thus, an advanced mixed signal process CJ2 hosts both, analog and digital circuits, on a single chip, using Josephson junctions of a wide critical current range. We discuss the technology and the realization of first circuits as well as results of basic logic gate and dc-SQUID operations. This advanced technology CJ2 enables the development of digital interfaces for quantum circuits by academic and industrial partners in the framework of the European FLUXONICS foundry.
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20 kA/cm2{\hbox{kA/cm}}^{2}kA/cm2 Process Development for Superconducting Integrated Circuits With 80 GHz Clock Frequency
Results of the development of an advanced fabrication process for superconductor integrated circuits (ICs) with 20 kA/cm2Nb/AlOx/Nb Josephson junctions is presented. The process has 4 niobium superconducting layers, one MoNxresistor layer with 4.0 Ohm per square sheet resistance for the junction shunting and circuit biasing, and employs circular Josephson junctions with the minimum diameter of 1 mum; total 11 photolithography levels. The goal of this process development is the demonstration of the feasibility of 80 GHz clock speeds in superconducting ICs for digital signal processing (DSP) and high performance computing. Basic components of rapid single flux quantum (RSFQ) logic such as DC/SFQ, SFQ/DC converters, Josephson transmission lines (JTLs), and simple digital circuits such as T-flip-flops and 4-bit digital counters have been fabricated and tested. The T-flip-flops were shown to operate up to 400 GHz with the widest margin of operation of plusmn13% at 325 GHz. Digital testing results on the 4-bit counters as well as the junctions, resistors, and other process parameters are also presented. Prospects for yet higher speeds and very large scale integration are discussed.
We implemented, optimized, and fully tested a superconducting Josephson junction fabrication process over multiple runs tailored for integrated digital circuits that are used for control and readout of superconducting qubits operating at millikelvin temperatures. This process was optimized for highly energy efficient rapid single flux quantum (ERSFQ) circuits with critical currents reduced by a factor of ∼10 as compared to those operated at 4.2 K. Specifically, it implemented Josephson junctions with 10 μA unit critical current fabricated with 10 μA/μm2 critical current density. In order to circumvent the substantial size increase in the SFQ circuit inductors, we employed an NbN high kinetic inductance layer with 8.5 pH/sq sheet inductance. Similarly, to maintain the small size of junction resistive shunts, we used a non-superconducting PdAu alloy with 4.0 Ω/sq sheet resistance. For integration with quantum circuits in a multi-chip module, 5 and 10 μm height bump processes were also optimized. To keep the fabrication process in check, we developed and thoroughly tested a comprehensive process control monitor chip set.
Current superconducting quantum computers (QC) rely on a brute-force scaling approach where quantum chips operating at the millikelvin stage inside dilution refrigerators are connected to room-temperature electronics via an ever-increasing number of signal wires. In order to drastically scale up such systems without facing refrigeration challenges, these quantum interface electronics need to be integrated at cryogenic temperatures, ideally at the same stage as qubits. In this paper, we show that, by employing energy-efficient digital superconducting microchips based on single flux quantum (SFQ) technology, all essential functions to operate a full stack quantum computer can be integrated at 10 mK. They include digital qubit charge control and magnetic flux control for single- and two-qubit gates, as well as digital qubit readout.