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Superconductor Science and Technology

Multi-JPA configuration to broaden amplification bandwidth for axion haloscope experiments

Boris I. Ivanov, Sergey V. Uchaikin, Jinmyeong Kim, Minsu Ko, Arjan F. van Loo, Yasunobu Nakamura, Saebyeok Ahn, Seonjeong Oh, Yannis Kyriakos Semertzidis, SungWoo Youn

Published Jan 19, 2026• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract Josephson parametric amplifiers (JPAs) are used in a wide range of applications, including quantum sensing and axion dark matter searches, due to their near-quantum-limited noise performance. In this article, we present a novel amplifier configuration that increases the frequency scanning range for axion search experiments by combining six narrow-band, flux-driven JPAs. The design consists of two subsets, each comprising three JPAs connected in parallel and coupled to one of two circulators. These subsets are arranged in series. A single pump tone is split and distributed across all JPAs. We effectively mitigated challenges associated with frequency tuning and cross-talk arising from JPA band overlap while maintaining low noise performance. To validate this configuration, we implemented a JPA system spanning 1.2–1.5 GHz as the first-stage amplifier in an RF chain, where the total noise was measured to be approximately twice the standard quantum limit.

DOI
10.1088/1361-6668/ae3a1d

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Abstract Josephson parametric amplifiers (JPAs) are used in a wide range of applications, including quantum sensing and axion dark matter searches, due to their near-quantum-limited noise performance. In this article, we present a novel amplifier configuration that increases the frequency scanning range for axion search experiments by combining six narrow-band, flux-driven JPAs. The design consists of two subsets, each comprising three JPAs connected in parallel and coupled to one of two circulators. These subsets are arranged in series. A single pump tone is split and distributed across all JPAs. We effectively mitigated challenges associated with frequency tuning and cross-talk arising from JPA band overlap while maintaining low noise performance. To validate this configuration, we implemented a JPA system spanning 1.2–1.5 GHz as the first-stage amplifier in an RF chain, where the total noise was measured to be approximately twice the standard quantum limit.
Abstract We present a novel amplifier configuration that combines six relatively narrow-band flux-drive Josephson Parametric Amplifiers (JPAs) to extend the bandwidth for the axion search experiments. We have addressed challenges related to the tuning and cross-talk resulting from JPA band overlap while maintaining low noise levels. Our measurements demonstrate that the added noise by an RF chain, with the JPA acting as the primary stage amplifier, remains between 75 and 175 mK from 1.19 to 1.33 GHz and from 1.36 to 1.5 GHz.
We present the development of two complementary amplifier architectures for axion haloscope experiments, based on two types of Josephson Parametric Amplifiers (JPAs).The first employs a multi-chip module of flux-driven JPAs in a parallel-series configuration, enabling near quantum-limited amplification over an extended tunable range of between 1.2 and 1.5 GHz.The second design features a lumped-element JPA, offering continuous tunability across a wide frequency range from 2.4 to 4 GHz.Both approaches demonstrate near-quantum-limited noise performance and are compatible with operation in cryogenic environments.These amplifiers significantly enhance the sensitivity and frequency coverage of axion search experiments, and also provide new opportunities for broadband quantum sensing applications.
The axion search experiments in the microwave frequency range require high sensitive detectors with intrinsic noise close to quantum noise limit. Josephson parametric amplifiers (JPAs) are the most valuable candidates for the role of the first stage a mplifier in th e me asurement circuit of the microwave frequency range, as they are well-known in superconducting quantum circuits readout. To increase the frequency range, a challenging scientific t ask involves implementing an assembly with parallel connection of several single JPAs, which requires matching the complex RF circuit at microwaves and ensuring proper DC flux bias. I n this publication, we present a new DC flux bias setup based on a Schottky diode circuit for a JPA assembly consisting of two JPAs. We provide a detailed characterization of the diodes at cryogenic temperatures lower than 4 K. Specifically, we selected two RF Schottky diodes with desirable characteristics for the DC flux bias setup, and our results demonstrate that the Schottky diode circuit is a promising method for achieving proper DC flux bias in JPA assemblies.
The axion is a hypothetical particle, a promising candidate for dark matter, and a solution to the strong CP problem.Axion haloscope search experiments deal with a signal power comparable to noise uncertainty at millikelvin temperature.We use a flux-driven Josephson parametric amplifier (JPA) with the aim of approaching a noise level near the theoretically allowed limit of half quanta.In our measurements to characterize the JPA we have found the added noise to the system with a JPA as the first-stage amplifier to be lower than 110 mK at the frequencies from 0.938 GHz to 0.963 GHz.
Abstract The experimental non-observation of charge-parity (CP) symmetry violation in quantum chromodynamics is commonly referred to as the strong CP problem. The axion, a hypothetical elementary pseudoscalar, is expected to solve the strong CP problem and is also a promising candidate for dark matter. The most sensitive axion search experiments operate at millikelvin temperatures and hence rely on instrumentation that carries signals from a system at cryogenic temperatures to room temperature instrumentation. One of the biggest limiting factors affecting the parameter scanning speed of these detectors is the noise added by the components in the signal detection chain. Since the first amplifier in the chain limits the minimum noise, low-noise amplification is of paramount importance. This paper reports on the operation of a flux-driven Josephson parametric amplifier (JPA) operating at around 2.3 GHz with added noise approaching the quantum limit. The JPA was employed as a first stage amplifier in an experimental setting similar to the ones used in haloscope axion detectors. By operating the JPA at a gain of 19 dB and cascading it with two cryogenic amplifiers operating at 4 K, noise temperatures as low as 120 mK were achieved for the whole signal detection chain.
Many experiments operating at millikelvin temperatures with signal frequencies in the microwave regime are beginning to incorporate Josephson Parametric Amplifiers (JPA) as their first amplification stage.While there are implementations for a wideband frequency response with a minimal need for tuning, designs using resonant structures with small numbers of Josephson elements still achieve the best noise performance.In a typical measurement scheme involving a JPA, one needs to control the resonance frequency, pump frequency and pump power to achieve the desired amplification and noise properties.In this work, we propose a straightforward approach for operating JPAs with the help of a look-up table (LUT) and online fine-tuning.Using the proposed approach, we demonstrate the operation of a flux-driven JPA with 20 dB gain around 5.9 GHz, covering approximately 100 MHz with 20 kHz tuning steps.The proposed methodology was successfully used in the context of a haloscope axion experiment.