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Journal of Physics Conference Series

Design and Implementation of a Multichannel Current Bias Power Supply for Programmable Josephson Voltage Standard

Ming Ding, Dong Li, Qiuyu Xu, Qi Nie

Published Mar 1, 2026• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

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.

DOI
10.1088/1742-6596/3198/1/012064

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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.
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.
We propose a new method for transient-error-free AC voltage waveform synthesis using a programmable Josephson voltage standard (PJVS) array. Stepwise-approximated sinusoidal waveforms generated using PJVS can be potential tools for AC voltage calibration or related applications. However, the transient error caused by the transitions between quantized voltage steps is a crucial problem for some applications. By driving a PJVS array using high-speed periodical pulse packets and conventional DC biases, the influence of the transitions can essentially be eliminated. This paper describes the basic idea of our new method for driving a PJVS array.
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.
A 10 V programmable Josephson voltage standard (PJVS) circuit with a maximum output voltage of 20 V and a microwave bias of 18.5 GHz was designed and fabricated. Although an attempt was made to improve the fabrication yield for the 10 V PJVS circuit, it was not sufficiently large to reproducibly fabricate a perfect chip without any defects. The redundant arrays were additionally integrated to increase the maximum output voltage, which contributed to an increase in the number of available chips under the limited fabrication yield. Fortunately, most of the defective arrays had a zeroth Shapiro step, while the first step was very small or zero. If the array was not dc biased, it did not generate any voltage, because it worked as a superconductive wiring. In this case, the maximum output voltage became smaller than that of a perfect chip, but it functioned as a 10 V PJVS, due to the back-up arrays.
The programmable quantum voltage standard (PJVS) is a type of quantum voltage standard capable of generating AC waveforms accurately. This paper systematically summarizes the research progress of PJVS. The basic principles of PJVS are elaborated, focusing on the sources of transient errors and methods for error suppression. The development history of PJVS chips is reviewed, the fabrication of low-temperature superconducting Josephson junction arrays, the core characteristics of PJVS chips, and the research progress of PJVS chips at home and abroad are briefly summarized. The main application of PJVS are sorted out and summarized, the setup, key indicators, and practical application scenarios of quantum voltmeters, impedance bridges, and quantum current measurements are specifically analyzed. This paper also deeply explores the differential sampling method of PJVS and comparatively analyzes the two technical routes of differential sampling and subsampling. It conducts a comparative study on the two-terminal and four-terminal impedance bridges based on PJVS and summarizes their application status in various countries. It analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of current standards based on PJVS and single-electron tunneling schemes, and introduces the programmable quantum current standard based on Ohm’s law. Finally, this paper prospects the future development trend of PJVS from two dimensions of the breakthrough of core underlying chip technologies and the optimization of system integration.
Quantum Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs) based on programmable Josephson array (PJVS) represent the most advanced devices currently employed in ac voltage calibrations. Pulse-driven Josephson technology, compared to PJVS, provides cleaner and faster voltage signals and is the main topic of frontier developments. Although the extension of PJVS frequency range appears to be arduous, some enhancement are still practicable. In this work we demonstrate the possibility of synthesizing stepwise quantum voltage waveforms with half of the bias lines and fewer Josephson junctions by exploiting both first and second Shapiro steps, with no losses in terms of performances.