Superconducting metamaterials - the first step toward a microwave quantum bus

Abstract

Coherent manipulation of quantum states is at the core of quantum information science (QIS). Many state-of-the-art quantum systems rely on microwave fields for quantum operations. As such, the microwave electromagnetic fields serve as the ideal "quantum bus" to integrate different types of QIS systems into a hybrid quantum system. Superconducting metamaterials are artificial materials consisting of arrays of superconducting resonant microstructures with sizes much smaller than the microwave wavelengths of interest. Superconducting metamaterials are a strong candidate medium for the microwave quantum bus, because the effective impedance, field distributions, and frequency response can all be controlled by engineering the microstructures, electrical bias, and magnetic flux while maintaining extremely low loss. In this project, we investigate the fundamental unit of a superconducting metamaterial - a resonator with physical dimensions much smaller than the microwave wavelengths - using NbTiN as the working superconductor, whose high operating temperatures and magnetic fields are desirable attributes for compatibility with a wide variety of quantum systems. We first studied the properties of sputtered NbTiN thin films by correlating the film thickness with the normal state resistivity, superconducting transition temperature, and resonances of transmission line resonators made from these films. We developed a process flow and designed a coplanar waveguide platform for studying small resonators. The platform significantly shortens the turnaround times of the resonator fabrication and testing cycles. Several resonators with different designs were fabricated and tested at 4 Kelvin. Resonances were observed in some resonator testers. Potential paths for improvements and future directions are discussed.