Researchers in Switzerland have created a mechanical qubit using an acoustic wave resonator, marking a significant step forward in quantum “acoustodynamics”.
Circuit quantum acoustodynamics (cQAD) devices have a wide range of applications in quantum science, all of which depend crucially on the quantum coherence of the mechanical subsystem. In this context, high-overtone bulk acoustic-wave resonators (HBARs) are particularly promising, since they have shown very high quality factors with negligible dephasing. However, the introduction of piezoelectric films, which are necessary for coupling to a superconducting circuit, can lead to additional loss channels, such as surface scattering and two-level systems (TLS). Here, we study the acoustic dissipation of HBAR resonators in cQAD systems and find that the defect density of the piezoelectric material and its interface with the bulk are limiting factors for the coherence. We measure acoustic modes with phonon lifetimes up to 400 μs and lifetime-limited coherence times approaching one millisecond in the quantum regime. When coupled to a superconducting qubit, this leads to a hybrid system with a large quantum coherence cooperativity of CT2=1.1×105. These results represent a new milestone for the performance of cQAD devices and offer concrete paths forward for further improvements.
Circuit quantum acoustodynamics (cQAD) devices have a wide range of applications in quantum science, all of which depend crucially on the quantum coherence of the mechanical subsystem. In this context, high-overtone bulk acoustic-wave resonators (HBARs) are particularly promising, since they have shown very high quality factors with negligible dephasing. However, the introduction of piezoelectric films, which are necessary for coupling to a superconducting circuit, can lead to additional loss channels, such as surface scattering and two-level systems. Here, we study the acoustic dissipation of HBAR resonators in cQAD systems and find that the defect density of the piezoelectric material and its interface with the bulk are limiting factors for the coherence. We measure acoustic modes with phonon lifetimes up to 400 mu s and lifetime-limited coherence times approaching 1 ms in the quantum regime. When coupled to a superconducting qubit, this leads to a hybrid system with a large quantum coherence cooperativity of CT2 1/4 1.1 & times; 105. These results represent a new milestone for the performance of cQAD devices and offer concrete paths forward for further improvements.
In circuit quantum acoustodynamics (cQAD), superconducting circuits are combined with acoustic resonators to create and control nonclassical states of mechanical motion. Simulating these systems is challenging due to the extreme difference in scale between the microwave and mechanical wavelengths. All existing techniques simulate the electromagnetic and mechanical subsystems separately. However, this approach may not be adequate for all cQAD devices. Here, we demonstrate a single simulation of a superconducting qubit coupled to an acoustic and a microwave resonator and introduce two methods for using this simulation to predict the frequencies, coupling rates, and energy-participation ratios of the electromechanical modes of the hybrid system. We also discuss how these methods can be used to investigate important dissipation channels and quantify the nontrivial effects of mode hybridization in our device. Our methodology is flexible and can be extended to other acoustic resonators and quantum degrees of freedom, providing a valuable tool for designing hybrid quantum systems.