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arXiv:cond-mat/0503061 · Physical Review Letters

Andreev Probe of Persistent Current States in Superconducting Quantum Circuits

Victor T. Petrashov, K. G. Chua, K. M. Marshall, Rais S. Shaikhaidarov, J. T. Nicholls

Published Sep 27, 2005• 18 citations
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Abstract

Using the extraordinary sensitivity of Andreev interferometers to the superconducting phase difference associated with currents, we measure the persistent current quantum states in superconducting loops interrupted by Josephson junctions. Straightforward electrical resistance measurements of the interferometers give a continuous readout of the states, allowing us to construct the energy spectrum of the quantum circuit. The probe is estimated to be more precise and faster than previous methods, and can measure the local phase difference in a wide range of superconducting circuits.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.95.147001

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Using the extraordinary sensitivity of Andreev interferometers to the superconducting phase difference associated with currents, we measure the persistent current quantum states in superconducting loops interrupted by Josephson junctions. Straightforward electrical resistance measurements of the interferometers give a continuous readout of the states, allowing us to construct the energy spectrum of the quantum circuit. The probe is estimated to be more precise and faster than previous methods, and can measure the local phase difference in a wide range of superconducting circuits.
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An interferometric device is proposed in order to analyze the quartet mode in biased three-terminal Josephson junctions (TTJs), and to provide experimental evidence for the emergence of a single stationary phase, the so-called quartet phase. In such a quartet superconducting quantum interference device (quartet SQUID), the flux sensitivity exhibits period hc/4ehc/4ehc/4e, which is the fingerprint of a transient intermediate state involving two entangled Cooper pairs. The quartet SQUID provides two pieces of information: an amplitude that measures a total ``quartet critical current,'' and a phase lapse coming from the superposition of the following two current components: the quartet supercurrent which is odd in the quartet phase, and the phase-sensitive multiple Andreev reflection (phase MAR) quasiparticle current, which is even in the quartet phase. This makes a TTJ a generically ``$\ensuremath{\theta}$ junction.'' Evidence for phase MARs plays against conservative scenarios involving synchronization of AC Josephson currents, based on ``adiabatic'' phase dynamics and resistively shunted junction--like models.
The states of superconducting quantum bits, as the Josephson phase qubits and flux qubits, are distinguished by magnetic flux generated by a persistent current in a superconducting loop. As the readout circuit contributes decoherence, its coupling to the qubit should be made as weak as possible. We demonstrate a method to maximize the measurement contrast of the two qubit states, thus allowing to significantly decrease the coupling to the readout. This technique is promising for multiqubit circuits since it allows to read out the states of several qubits by using a single readout circuit.
Single-shot readout experiments were performed on the two lowest-energy states of a superconducting qubit with three Josephson junctions embedded in a superconducting loop. We measured the qubit state via switching current Isw of a current-biased dc-SQUID, a quantum detector surrounding the qubit loop. The qubit signals were measured in a small Isw regime of the SQUID, typically less than 100 nA, where the Isw distribution is particularly narrow. The obtained single-shot data indicate that the qubit state is readout, through the flux generated by the qubit persistent-current, as energy eigenstates rather than current eigenstates.