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Journal of Nanoelectronics and Optoelectronics

A Quantum-Traceable Harmonic Power Standard Leveraging a Nano-Fabricated Programmable Josephson Junction Array

Feng Shan Pan, Yuyao Yang, Lihua Zhong, Jingming Zhao, Lei Feng, Ji Yilin

Published Sep 1, 2025• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The advancement of quantum metrology is intrinsically linked to the development of nanoelectronic and quantum devices. The Programmable Josephson Voltage Standard (PJVS), a system comprising thousands of superconducting Josephson junctions with tunnel barriers on the nanoscale, provides a fundamental quantum-based AC voltage reference. However, extending this quantum traceability to harmonic power measurements, essential for modern power systems with extensive power electronics, remains a significant challenge. This work demonstrates a high-accuracy harmonic power standard by leveraging the unique quantum properties of a nano-fabricated PJVS array. We introduce a time-division calibration scheme where the precise voltage steps of the PJVS are used to calibrate a high-performance dual-channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC). This method bypasses the need for complex synchronous sampling and heavy computational algorithms, relying instead on the intrinsic accuracy of the Josephson quantum voltage. The system achieves a measurement uncertainty of 14 × 10 ×6 ( k = 2) for fundamental power and 50 × 10 −6 ( k = 2) for harmonic power up to the 60th order. Comparative tests with national primary standards show a maximum deviation of only 6 × 10 −6 for harmonic power metrology but also serves as a compelling demonstration of a practical, high-precision application for superconducting nanoelectronic devices, bridging the gap between quantum standards and industrial measurement needs.

DOI
10.1166/jno.2025.3810

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The advancement of quantum metrology is intrinsically linked to the development of nanoelectronic and quantum devices. The Programmable Josephson Voltage Standard (PJVS), a system comprising thousands of superconducting Josephson junctions with tunnel barriers on the nanoscale, provides a fundamental quantum-based AC voltage reference. However, extending this quantum traceability to harmonic power measurements, essential for modern power systems with extensive power electronics, remains a significant challenge. This work demonstrates a high-accuracy harmonic power standard by leveraging the unique quantum properties of a nano-fabricated PJVS array. We introduce a time-division calibration scheme where the precise voltage steps of the PJVS are used to calibrate a high-performance dual-channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC). This method bypasses the need for complex synchronous sampling and heavy computational algorithms, relying instead on the intrinsic accuracy of the Josephson quantum voltage. The system achieves a measurement uncertainty of 14 × 10 ×6 ( k = 2) for fundamental power and 50 × 10 −6 ( k = 2) for harmonic power up to the 60th order. Comparative tests with national primary standards show a maximum deviation of only 6 × 10 −6 for harmonic power metrology but also serves as a compelling demonstration of a practical, high-precision application for superconducting nanoelectronic devices, bridging the gap between quantum standards and industrial measurement needs.
The past few decades have witnessed great progress being made from the first voltage standards based on arrays of Josephson junctions. Continuous improvements in the fabrication process have increased the quality and “user-friendliness” of these superconducting circuits. Combined with the improvements in measuring electronics, the range of applications of Josephson-based measurements with unmatched precision has extended from DC into AC voltage metrology for signal frequencies up to 500 kHz. In this poster we will present several Josephson-based measurement systems developed for metrology applications. Two versions of quantum AC standards will be used as Josephson references: Programmable Josephson Voltage Standards (PJVS), which are based on serial arrays with up to 300,000 Josephson junctions, and pulse-driven arrays with more than 50,000 junctions, typically referred to as Josephson Arbitrary Waveform Synthesizers (JAWS). PJVS can reach amplitudes of up to 80 V, while pulse-driven arrays can reach up to 1 V or even 4 V. The advantage of pulse-driven Josephson voltage standards is that they are ideally suited as quantum-based voltage synthesizers for arbitrary waveforms or sine waves with high spectral purity. Therefore, they can be used directly to characterize or calibrate ADCs. In addition, JAWS are particularly useful in Josephson impedance bridges, which perform automated impedance calibrations at the 10-9 uncertainty level over a wide frequency range from 50 Hz to 80 kHz in a single bridge. We will further show how PJVS are used in commercial quantum voltmeters for DC and AC voltages and are typically used as quantum voltage references in measurement systems. Using differential sampling based on PJVS, uncertainties at the level of a few parts in 108 for frequencies up to the kHz range can be achieved. Such quantum-based AC voltage calibrations are at least 30 times faster than conventional AC-DC transfer and offer even better uncertainties. This idea has been quickly adopted by many National Metrology Institutes to establish such systems for AC voltage calibrations. As an example, the BIPM will now start worldwide onsite comparisons to ensure the uniformity of the new method which we introduced in 2006. But developments continue. Recently, a sub-sampling technique was used to extend the frequency range of the AC quantum voltmeter to up to 100 kHz with uncertainties below 5 parts in 106. In addition, a novel method, also for differential sampling, enables the measurement of arbitrary waveforms and the calibration of specific tones. Our poster will provide an overview of these Josephson-based metrological applications and present the latest developments from this fast-developing area.
The paper deals with recent progresses at INRiM towards the development and characterization of a programmable Josephson voltage standard (PJVS) operating in a small liquid helium dewar as well as with its integration for the realization of a practical quantum sampling electrical power standard. The PJVS is based on a 1 V superconductor-normal metal-superconductor (SNS) binary-divided array of 8192 Josephson junctions. To ensure proper operating conditions of the PJVS chip, a custom short cryoprobe was designed, built and successfully tested. The overall system is being developed in the framework of EMPIR project 19RPT01-QuantumPower. The goal is to establish a new quantum power standard (QPS) based on a single Josephson voltage standard for sampled power measurements and to gain confidence in running PJVS for precise calibration of digital sampling multimeters and arbitrary waveform digitizers used in the ac-voltage and power metrology community.
The design, fabrication, and the characterization of a 0.5-V Josephson junction array device are presented for the quantum voltage standards in the National Institute of Metrology (NIM) of China. The device consists of four junction arrays, each of which has 1200 3-stacked Nb/Nb x Si1−x /Nb junctions and an on-chip superconducting microwave circuit which is mainly a power divider enabling each Josephson array being loaded with an equal amount of microwave power. A direct current (dc) quantum voltage of about 0.5 V with a ∼1-mA current margin of the 1st quantum voltage step is obtained. To further prove the quality of NIM device, a comparison between the NIM device with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) programmable Josephson voltage standard (PJVS) system device is conducted. The difference of the reproduced 0.5-V quantum voltage between the two devices is about 0.55 nV, which indicates good agreement between the two devices. With the homemade device, we have realized a precise and applicable 0.5-V applicable-level quantum voltage.
The paper deals with recent progress at INRiM towards the setting up and preliminary characterization of a novel programmable Josephson voltage standard (PJVS) operating in a small liquid helium dewar.The PJVS setup is based on a 1-V superconductor-normal metal-superconductor (SNS) binary-divided array of 8192 Josephson junctions.To ensure proper operating conditions of the PJVS chip a custom short cryoprobe was designed, built and successfully tested.The overall system is being developed in the framework of EMPIR project 19RPT01-QuantumPower.The goal is to establish a new quantum voltage standard for sampled power measurement and to gain confidence in running quantum voltage standards for precise calibration of digital sampling multimeters and arbitrary waveform digitizers used in the ac-voltage and power metrology community.
Abstract The Programmable Josephson Voltage Standard (PJVS) is a benchmark device based on the Josephson effect, and capable of outputting a series of high-precision DC or stepped sinusoidal voltages on demand. Combined with differential sampling techniques, the PJVS holds broad application prospects in the field of precision voltage measurement. The bias power supply is a core component of the PJVS. By controlling the magnitudes of bias currents across each segment of the Josephson junction array, the state of the Shapiro steps of each segment is regulated independently. This ultimately combines to output a programmable, precise quantum voltage. A current-type bias power supply scheme for the PJVS system is proposed, based on the negative feedback principle, and the hardware circuitry for a multi-channel current bias power supply is developed. To enhance the transient and steady-state performance of the current bias power supply, this study employs high-speed bipolar digital-to-analogue converters and high-bandwidth negative feedback loop technology to develop an independently programmable multi-channel low-noise current bias power supply. To address the issue of hardware interface resource allocation for a multi-channel current bias power supply, the hardware circuit employs an SPI communication wiring multiplexing strategy. To address the challenge of synchronizing multiple channels. The software program utilizes an interactive approach between the write and refresh modules to control DAC outputs. This achieves a hybrid mechanism combining parallel and serial multi-channel control. Stability testing for a 10 Ω load yields an average short-term stability of 400 nA / min. The multi-channel current bias power supply fulfils the experimental specifications of the PJVS system.
Quantum digital-to-analog converters (DACs) based on programmable Josephson array [Programmable Josephson Voltage Standard (PJVS)] represent the most widely used quantum standard in ac voltage calibrations. The extension of PJVS frequency above the kilohertz range appears to be arduous; however, some enhancements are still practicable. In this work, we demonstrate the possibility to advantageously operate a conventional binary-divided PJVS array with a reduced number of bias lines. This feature is achieved by exploiting both the first and the second Shapiro steps along with nonconventional DAC codings. Two newly devised bias techniques are described in detail and preliminary experimental tests on waveform synthesis have been carried out and are presented here.