Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Low noise microwave generation for quantum information systems via cryogenic extended-InGaAs photodiodes

Takuma Nakamura, Dahyeon Lee, Jason Horng, John D. Teufel, Franklyn Quinlan

Published Jan 1, 2024• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We demonstrate low-noise photonic microwave generation derived from 1550 nm fs-pulses via cryogenic extended-InGaAs photodiode. The phase noise is 18 dB below the shot-noise limited amplitude noise, and >20 dB below that of modulated-CW illumination.
DOI
10.1364/cleo_si.2024.stu4i.3

Related papers

Cryogenic photonic link using an extended-InGaAs photodiode and short pulse illumination toward high-fidelity drive of superconducting qubits

Takuma Nakamura, Dahyeon Lee, Jason Horng +3 more

We investigate short pulse illumination of a high-speed extended-InGaAs photodiode at cryogenic temperatures toward its use in control and readout of superconducting qubits. First, we demonstrate high detector responsivity at 1550 nm illumination at 20 mK, a wavelength band unavailable to cryogenic standard InGaAs detectors due to the temperature-dependent bandgap shift. Second, we demonstrate an improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the shot noise limit for cryogenic short optical pulse detection when compared with conventional modulated continuous-wave laser detection. At 40 μA of photocurrent and a detector temperature of 4 K, short pulse detection yields an SNR improvement of 20 dB and 3 dB for phase and amplitude quadratures, respectively. Last, we discuss how short pulse detection offers a path for signal multiplexing, with a demonstration of simultaneous production of microwave pulses at two different carrier frequencies. Together, these advancements establish a path toward low noise and power efficient multiplexed photonic links for quantum computing with a large number of superconducting qubits.

arXiv:2501.00545•Optica Quantum•May 2, 2025•6 citations

Impact of Optical Amplification and Pulse Interleaving on Low Phase Noise Photonic Microwave Generation

Franklyn Quinlan, Fred N. Baynes, Tara M. Fortier +4 more

Using carefully constructed pulse interleavers, we demonstrate ~10 dB reduction in the quantum noise from optical amplification for short pulse detection, resulting in a phase noise floor on a 10 GHz microwave of −175 dBc/Hz.

•Jan 1, 2014•1 citation

Cryogenic and Room Temperature Microwave Generation with High-Speed Photodetection of Ultrashort Optical Pulse Trains

Franklyn Quinlan

The photodetection of ultrashort optical pulse trains has applications in RF and microwave photonics systems that wish to take advantage of the exceptional frequency and timing precision available from optical sources. Room temperature applications include low phase noise microwave generation and sources for very long baseline interferometry, whereas cryogenic applications include driving quantum-based voltage standards and the drive and readout of superconducting qubits. Both room temperature and cryogenic applications of short pulse detection are reviewed.

International Topical Meeting on Microwave Photonics•Oct 14, 2025•0 citations

Investigation of modified uni-traveling carrier photodiode for cryogenic microwave photonic links

Carson Moseley, Summer Bolton, Joseph M. Lukens +8 more

Quantum devices present the potential for unparalleled computing and communications capabilities; however, the cryogenic temperatures required to successfully control and read out many qubit platforms can prove to be very challenging to scale. Recently, there has emerged an interest in using microwave photonics to deliver control signals down to ultracold stages via optical fiber, thereby reducing thermal load and facilitating dense wavelength multiplexing. Photodetectors can then convert this optical energy to electrical signals for qubit control. The fidelity of the quantum operations of interest therefore depend heavily upon the characteristics of the photodiode, yet experimental demonstrations of fiber-coupled photodetection systems at low temperatures are relatively few in number, leaving important open questions regarding how specific detectors may perform in real-world cryogenic settings. In this work, we examine a highly linear modified uni-traveling carrier photodiode (MUTC-PD) under C-band illumination (1530–1565 nm) at three temperature regimes (300 K, 80 K, and ∼4 K) and multiple bias conditions. Our findings of reduced responsivity but preserved bandwidth are consistent with previous studies, while our saturation tests suggest a variety of potential applications for MUTC-PDs in cryogenic microwave photonics with and without electrical bias. Overall, our results should provide a valuable foundation for the continued and expanding use of this detector technology in quantum information processing.

Optics Continuum•Oct 2, 2023•5 citations

Generation of octupled microwave signal via frequency multiplication method

Mandeep Singh, Sanjeev Kumar Raghuwanshi

Abstract We propose experimentally a technique to generate a low noise frequency octupled microwave signal. We demonstrate that by carefully arranging the phase of 90° between two MZMs (out of three), a low noise photonically assisted octupled microwave signal can be generated. A 25.6 GHz optical microwave signal is achieved with 3.2 GHz of local RF oscillator signal. Moreover, the intensity expressions at the output of photodiode are derived for both with and without dispersion terms. Finally, we advocate the impact of the electrical spurious suppression ratio on the extinction ratio of the modulators. Our experimental and simulation results agree well with the theoretical analysis.

Journal of Optics•Aug 31, 2017•1 citation

Photodetection system immune to amplitude-to-phase conversion noise for ultralow noise photonic microwave generation

Lingke Wang, Junchao Huang, Yifei Duan +2 more

Microwave signals generated by photodetection of the pulse train of an optical frequency comb locked to an ultrastable laser have ultrahigh spectral purity and frequency stability. The amplitude-to-phase noise conversion (APC) that occurs in the photodetection, however, degrades the phase noise of the generated microwave signal over the range from tens of hertz to several kilohertz. Here we demonstrate active APC compensation by precisely tuning the bias voltage applied to a photodetector using the APC coefficient measured by comparing with a reference photodetector. In this scheme, the APC was dramatically reduced and a long-term steady rejection of the laser relative intensity noise of more than 60 dB was achieved.

Optics Letters•Oct 12, 2018•4 citations
We investigate short pulse illumination of a high-speed extended-InGaAs photodiode at cryogenic temperatures toward its use in control and readout of superconducting qubits. First, we demonstrate high detector responsivity at 1550 nm illumination at 20 mK, a wavelength band unavailable to cryogenic standard InGaAs detectors due to the temperature-dependent bandgap shift. Second, we demonstrate an improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the shot noise limit for cryogenic short optical pulse detection when compared with conventional modulated continuous-wave laser detection. At 40 μA of photocurrent and a detector temperature of 4 K, short pulse detection yields an SNR improvement of 20 dB and 3 dB for phase and amplitude quadratures, respectively. Last, we discuss how short pulse detection offers a path for signal multiplexing, with a demonstration of simultaneous production of microwave pulses at two different carrier frequencies. Together, these advancements establish a path toward low noise and power efficient multiplexed photonic links for quantum computing with a large number of superconducting qubits.
The photodetection of ultrashort optical pulse trains has applications in RF and microwave photonics systems that wish to take advantage of the exceptional frequency and timing precision available from optical sources. Room temperature applications include low phase noise microwave generation and sources for very long baseline interferometry, whereas cryogenic applications include driving quantum-based voltage standards and the drive and readout of superconducting qubits. Both room temperature and cryogenic applications of short pulse detection are reviewed.
Quantum devices present the potential for unparalleled computing and communications capabilities; however, the cryogenic temperatures required to successfully control and read out many qubit platforms can prove to be very challenging to scale. Recently, there has emerged an interest in using microwave photonics to deliver control signals down to ultracold stages via optical fiber, thereby reducing thermal load and facilitating dense wavelength multiplexing. Photodetectors can then convert this optical energy to electrical signals for qubit control. The fidelity of the quantum operations of interest therefore depend heavily upon the characteristics of the photodiode, yet experimental demonstrations of fiber-coupled photodetection systems at low temperatures are relatively few in number, leaving important open questions regarding how specific detectors may perform in real-world cryogenic settings. In this work, we examine a highly linear modified uni-traveling carrier photodiode (MUTC-PD) under C-band illumination (1530–1565 nm) at three temperature regimes (300 K, 80 K, and ∼4 K) and multiple bias conditions. Our findings of reduced responsivity but preserved bandwidth are consistent with previous studies, while our saturation tests suggest a variety of potential applications for MUTC-PDs in cryogenic microwave photonics with and without electrical bias. Overall, our results should provide a valuable foundation for the continued and expanding use of this detector technology in quantum information processing.
Abstract We propose experimentally a technique to generate a low noise frequency octupled microwave signal. We demonstrate that by carefully arranging the phase of 90° between two MZMs (out of three), a low noise photonically assisted octupled microwave signal can be generated. A 25.6 GHz optical microwave signal is achieved with 3.2 GHz of local RF oscillator signal. Moreover, the intensity expressions at the output of photodiode are derived for both with and without dispersion terms. Finally, we advocate the impact of the electrical spurious suppression ratio on the extinction ratio of the modulators. Our experimental and simulation results agree well with the theoretical analysis.
Microwave signals generated by photodetection of the pulse train of an optical frequency comb locked to an ultrastable laser have ultrahigh spectral purity and frequency stability. The amplitude-to-phase noise conversion (APC) that occurs in the photodetection, however, degrades the phase noise of the generated microwave signal over the range from tens of hertz to several kilohertz. Here we demonstrate active APC compensation by precisely tuning the bias voltage applied to a photodetector using the APC coefficient measured by comparing with a reference photodetector. In this scheme, the APC was dramatically reduced and a long-term steady rejection of the laser relative intensity noise of more than 60 dB was achieved.