Exploring van der Waals Cuprate Superconductors Using a Hybrid Microwave Circuit
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75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
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Systematic Construction of Time-Dependent Hamiltonians for Microwave-Driven Josephson Circuits
Time-dependent electromagnetic drives are fundamental for controlling complex quantum systems, including superconducting Josephson circuits. In these devices, accurate time-dependent Hamiltonian models are imperative for predicting their dynamics and designing high-fidelity quantum operations. Existing numerical methods, such as black-box quantization (BBQ) and energy-participation ratio (EPR), excel at modeling the static Hamiltonians of Josephson circuits. However, these techniques do not fully capture the behavior of driven circuits stimulated by external microwave drives, nor do they include a generalized approach to account for the inevitable noise and dissipation that enter through microwave ports. Here, we introduce numerical techniques that leverage classical microwave simulations, efficiently executable in finite-element solvers, to obtain the time-dependent Hamiltonian of microwave-driven superconducting circuits with arbitrary geometries under charge, flux, or mixed electromagnetic modulation. Importantly, our techniques do not rely on a lumped-element description of the superconducting circuit, in contrast to previous approaches to tackling this problem. We demonstrate the versatility of our approach by characterizing the driven properties of realistic circuit devices in complex electromagnetic environments, including coherent dynamics due to charge and flux modulation, as well as drive-induced relaxation and dephasing. Our techniques offer a powerful toolbox for optimizing circuit designs and advancing practical applications in superconducting quantum computing.
Lu, Yao [Yale U.; Yale U. (main); Fermilab] (ORCID↗
Coherent Magnon–Photon Coupling in the Magnetic Semiconductor CrSBr
Magnon-based hybrid quantum systems are promising candidates for quantum interconnects and quantum sensors, and they offer a rich platform for exploring nonlinear magnonics and cavity–photon interactions. Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals magnets provide a compact, atomically flat geometry that can be easily integrated into existing quantum circuits, such as superconducting resonators and qubits. Among various 2D magnets, the magnetic semiconductor CrSBr is particularly unique due to its strong spin–exciton, spin–lattice, and magnon–exciton interactions. In this work, we demonstrate coherent coupling between antiferromagnetic (AFM) magnons in CrSBr and microwave photons in a niobium-(Nb)-based-on-chip resonator. We tuned the magnon–photon coupling strength by changing the number of CrSBr flakes integrated into the Nb microwave photon resonators. Furthermore, this work demonstrates the first step toward integrating layered van der Waals 2D magnets into superconducting microwave circuits, with full access for microwave and optical probing.
Electromagnetic radiation↗
Quantum Entanglement between Optical and Microwave Photonic Qubits
Entanglement is an extraordinary feature of quantum mechanics. Sources of entangled optical photons were essential to test the foundations of quantum physics through violations of Bell’s inequalities. More recently, entangled many-body states have been realized via strong nonlinear interactions in microwave circuits with superconducting qubits. Here, we demonstrate a chip-scale source of entangled optical and microwave photonic qubits. Our device platform integrates a piezo-optomechanical transducer with a superconducting resonator which is robust under optical illumination. We drive a photon-pair generation process and employ a dual-rail encoding intrinsic to our system to prepare entangled states of microwave and optical photons. We place a lower bound on the fidelity of the entangled state by measuring microwave and optical photons in two orthogonal bases. This entanglement source can directly interface telecom wavelength time-bin qubits and gigahertz frequency superconducting qubits, two well-established platforms for quantum communication and computation, respectively. Published by the American Physical Society 2024
Physics↗
Investigation of kinetic inductance and microwave loss in thin-film TaC x N 1−x superconducting resonators
The promise of tantalum for realizing superconducting quantum devices has generated interest in its compound films, particularly nitrides. Among these, cubic-phase tantalum carbonitride (TaC x N 1−x ) offers reduced susceptibility to oxidation and a high critical temperature, yet its microwave properties remain largely unexplored. Here, in this study, we investigate plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition of cubic-phase TaC x N 1−x thin films for superconducting microwave circuits. Structural and transport measurements reveal nanocrystalline morphology with sub-10 nm grains and superconductivity in the dirty limit. Coplanar waveguide resonators exhibit moderately high kinetic inductance (16.8 pH/sq for 30 nm films) with potential for enhancement through dimensional scaling. The films also support high internal quality factors exceeding 10 5 at 50 mK in the single-photon regime, comparable to granular aluminum. Loss analysis identifies the two-level systems as the dominant limiting mechanism, with potential for further reduction through interface engineering. These results establish atomic layer deposited TaC x N 1−x as a promising material for scalable, low-loss, high-inductance superconducting circuits.
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
Magnetic flux distribution, quasiparticle spectroscopy, and quality factors in Nb films for superconducting qubits
Niobium is a practical material platform for superconducting microwave circuits; however, device-level performance can vary significantly depending on film growth and processing conditions. We compare three epitaxial Nb films grown on $c-$plane sapphire substrates under nominally identical conditions, except for the deposition temperature. To correlate internal quality factors, $Q_{\mathrm {i}}$, with material properties, we combine magneto-optical imaging of magnetic flux distribution with quasiparticle spectroscopy via measurements of the London penetration depth, $λ(T)$. In the low-$Q_{\mathrm i}$ film, there is a lesser ability to screen the magnetic field and an irregular temperature variation of $λ(T)$, implying the existence of localized in-gap states. High $Q_{\mathrm i}$ films show the opposite trend. We conclude that our measurements provide an efficient method for characterizing and optimizing superconducting films for quantum informatics applications.
Datta, Amlan [Ames Lab; Iowa State U.]↗
Signatures of Thermal and Electrical Crosstalk in a Microwave Multiplexed Hard X-ray Transition Edge Sensor Array
We investigate the crosstalk between Transition-Edge Sensor (TES) pixels in a 24-pixel hard X-ray spectrometer array fabricated at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory. Analysis shows thermal cross talk, possibly associated with insufficient thermalization, and rare but larger in magnitude electrical crosstalk between specific perpetrator-victim pixel combinations, potentially due to defects in the bias wiring or microwave multiplexing circuit. We use a method based on group-triggering and averaging to isolate the crosstalk response despite only having access to X-ray photon illumination uniform across the entire array. This allows us to identify thermal and electrical crosstalk between pixel pairs in repeated measurements to the level of 1 part in 1000 or better. In the array under study, the magnitude of observed crosstalk is small but comparable to the resolving power of this pixel design (E/Delta E similar to\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$E/\Delta {}E \sim$$\end{document} 1000 at 20 keV) and so potentially responsible for a degradation in energy resolution of the array at high incident photon rates. Having proven the methods to identify and quantify crosstalk in our setup, we can now consider mitigations.
Triamkitsawat, Panthita↗
Quasiparticle spectroscopy in tantalum films with different Ta/sapphire interfaces
One of the crucial aspects of current research in quantum information science is the identification and control of loss mechanisms in superconducting (SC) circuits. Although microwave measurements directly quantify device performance, additional techniques that probe quasiparticle excitations in SC films are needed to understand the microscopic mechanisms underlying dissipation and decoherence. Here, we present results from quasiparticle spectroscopy of Ta/sapphire films by measuring the Meissner-state magnetic susceptibility using a precision frequency-domain resonator specifically designed for thin films. We find direct evidence for additional low-energy excitations in samples with lower internal quality factors. These excitations are consistent with deep subgap states due to two-level systems, Yu–Shiba–Rusinov states near the gap edge, and perhaps other pair-breaking mechanisms. The developed non-destructive frequency-domain quasiparticle spectroscopy is a valuable addition to the quantum materials toolbox.
metal/substrate interlayer↗
End-to-End Workflow for Machine-Learning-Based Qubit Readout With QICK and hls4ml
In this article, we present an end-to-end workflow for superconducting qubit readout that embeds codesigned neural networks into the quantum instrumentation control kit (QICK). Capitalizing on the custom firmware and software of the QICK platform, which is built on Xilinx radiofrequency system-on-chip field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), we aim to leverage machine learning (ML) to address critical challenges in qubit readout accuracy and scalability. The workflow utilizes the hls4ml package and employs quantization-aware training to translate ML models into hardware-efficient FPGA implementations via user-friendly Python application programming interfaces. We experimentally demonstrate the design, optimization, and integration of an ML algorithm for single transmon qubit readout, achieving 96% single-shot fidelity with a latency of 32.25 ns and less than 16% FPGA lookup table resource utilization. Our results offer the community an accessible workflow to advance ML-driven readout and adaptive control in quantum information processing applications.
42 ENGINEERING↗
Quasiparticle spectroscopy in tantalum films with different Ta/sapphire interfaces
One of the crucial aspects of current research in quantum information science is the identification and control of loss mechanisms in superconducting circuits. Although microwave measurements directly quantify device performance, additional techniques that probe quasiparticle excitations in superconducting films are needed to understand the microscopic mechanisms underlying dissipation and decoherence. Here, we present results from quasiparticle spectroscopy of Ta/sapphire films by measuring the Meissner-state magnetic susceptibility using a precision frequency-domain resonator specifically designed for thin films. We find direct evidence for additional low-energy excitations in samples with lower internal quality factors. These excitations are consistent with deep subgap states due to two-level systems, Yu-Shiba-Rusinov states near the gap edge, and perhaps other pair-breaking mechanisms. The developed non-destructive frequency-domain quasiparticle spectroscopy is a valuable addition to the quantum materials toolbox.
Moirangthem, Bicky Singh [Ames Lab; Iowa State U.]↗
Quasiparticle spectroscopy in tantalum films with different Ta/sapphire interfaces
One of the crucial aspects of current research in quantum information science is the identification and control of loss mechanisms in superconducting circuits. Although microwave measurements directly quantify device performance, additional techniques that probe quasiparticle excitations in superconducting films are needed to understand the microscopic mechanisms underlying dissipation and decoherence. Here, we present results from quasiparticle spectroscopy of Ta/sapphire films by measuring the Meissner-state magnetic susceptibility using a precision frequency-domain resonator specifically designed for thin films. We find direct evidence for additional low-energy excitations in samples with lower internal quality factors. These excitations are consistent with deep subgap states due to two-level systems, Yu-Shiba-Rusinov states near the gap edge, and perhaps other pair-breaking mechanisms. The developed non-destructive frequency-domain quasiparticle spectroscopy is a valuable addition to the quantum materials toolbox.
Moirangthem, Bicky Singh [Ames Lab; Iowa State U.]↗
Circuit quantum electrodynamics detection of induced two-fold anisotropic pairing in a hybrid superconductor–ferromagnet bilayer
Abstract Hybrid systems represent one of the frontiers in the study of unconventional superconductivity and are a promising platform to realize topological superconducting states. These materials are challenging to probe using many conventional measurement techniques because of their mesoscopic dimensions, and therefore require new experimental probes so that they can be successfully characterized. Here, we demonstrate a probe that enables us to measure the superfluid density of micrometre-size superconductors using microwave techniques drawn from circuit quantum electrodynamics. We apply this technique to a superconductor–ferromagnet bilayer and find that the proximity-induced superfluid density is two-fold anisotropic within the plane of the sample. It also exhibits power-law temperature scaling that is indicative of a nodal superconducting state. These experimental results are consistent with the theoretically predicted signatures of induced triplet pairing with a nodal p -wave order parameter. Moreover, we observe modifications to the microwave response at frequencies near the ferromagnetic resonance, suggesting a coupling between the spin dynamics and induced superconducting order in the ferromagnetic layer. Our experimental technique can be employed more widely, for example to study fragile unconventional superconductivity in low-dimensional materials such as van der Waals heterostructures.
Bøttcher, C. G. L. (ORCID:0000000194898461)↗
Strong-Drive Limits in Josephson Circuits: From Chaos to an Unbound-Resonance Threshold
Strong microwave drives enable fast measurement and parametric control in superconducting circuits but can induce transitions out of the intended low-energy manifold. We develop a unified description of strong-drive limits in flux- and charge-driven Josephson circuits across drive frequency and dc flux bias. Using classical phase-space analysis and Floquet--Markov simulations, we identify distinct low- and high-frequency mechanisms. At low frequency, we characterize bound-state resonances and separatrix chaos and find that the flux-drive chaos threshold depends strongly on dc flux bias. At high frequency, these mechanisms are suppressed, and the dissipative steady state transfers from the central bound-state sector to outer resonances formed by above-barrier running trajectories. The resulting unbound-resonance threshold is nearly independent of drive frequency and circuit parameters over the regime studied and is controlled primarily by dc flux bias. Coherent simulations show that parametric operation persists beyond this threshold, but at a reduced rate, setting an effective upper bound on the achievable operation speed. We derive analytical criteria for both thresholds, validate them numerically, and experimentally confirm the predicted dc-bias dependence of the low-frequency threshold in a flux-driven SQUID. We also determine the timescales for transfer into the unbound-resonance regime and relaxation back to the bound-state manifold after the drive is removed. Finally, we relate the stability limits to a complementary picture based on the junction critical current and extend the framework to multitone drives and inductively shunted circuits. Together, these results identify the mechanisms limiting strong driving and suggest routes to extend the stable operating range of Josephson circuits.
You, Xinyuan [Fermilab] (ORCID:0000000291789419)↗
Theory of quasiparticle generation by microwave drives in superconducting qubits
Microwave drives play a central role in the control of superconducting quantum circuits, enabling qubit gates, readout, and parametric interactions. As the drive frequencies are typically an order of magnitude smaller than (twice) the superconducting gap, it is generally assumed that such drives do not disturb the BCS ground state. However, sufficiently strong drives can activate multiphoton pair-breaking processes that generate quasiparticles (QPs) and result in qubit errors. In this work, we present a theoretical framework for calculating the rates of multiphoton-assisted pair-breaking transitions induced by charge- or flux-coupled microwave drives. Through illustrative examples, we show that photon-assisted QP generation may affect novel high-frequency dispersive readout architectures, as well as Floquet-engineered superconducting circuits operating under strong driving.
circuit quantum electrodynamics↗
Johnson-noise-limited cancellation-free microwave impedance microscopy with monolithic silicon cantilever probes
Abstract Microwave impedance microscopy (MIM) is an emerging scanning probe technique for nanoscale complex permittivity mapping and has made significant impacts in diverse fields. To date, the most significant hurdles that limit its widespread use are the requirements of specialized microwave probes and high-precision cancellation circuits. Here, we show that forgoing both elements not only is feasible but also enhances performance. Using monolithic silicon cantilever probes and a cancellation-free architecture, we demonstrate Johnson-noise-limited, drift-free MIM operation with 15 nm spatial resolution, minimal topography crosstalk, and an unprecedented sensitivity of 0.26 zF/ √ Hz. We accomplish this by taking advantage of the high mechanical resonant frequency and spatial resolution of silicon probes, the inherent common-mode phase noise rejection of self-referenced homodyne detection, and the exceptional stability of the streamlined architecture. Our approach makes MIM drastically more accessible and paves the way for advanced operation modes as well as integration with complementary techniques.
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
Universal Jaynes-Cummings Control of an Oscillator
The Jaynes-Cummings (JC) interaction-the coherent exchange of excitations between a two-level system and a harmonic oscillator-is one of the fundamental interactions of quantum optics, realized across platforms such as cavity quantum electrodynamics, trapped ions, mechanical resonators, and superconducting circuits. Although JC interactions and qubit rotations form a universal gate set for oscillator control, practical implementations have not been demonstrated. Here we develop and experimentally demonstrate universal JC-based oscillator control by compiling arbitrary unitary gates into sequences of JC interactions and qubit rotations. In our experiment, the oscillator is realized using a mode of a high quality factor microwave cavity and the ancilla qubit using a superconducting transmon circuit, with the JC interaction implemented by a sideband interaction enabled by the Josephson nonlinearity. The native gates are constructed to be closed below a chosen cutoff photon number, encoding a qudit with suppressed leakage errors, while ancilla relaxation errors are detectable. We further find that the dispersive shift serves as a compilation resource that reduces circuit depths. We demonstrate universal qudit control and implement a single-qutrit gate set with a mean post-selected process fidelity of 96%, as well as ququart and ququint shift gates. These results establish Jaynes-Cummings control as a practical route to universal oscillator control, enabling programmable bosonic processors across a variety of quantum platforms.
Huang, Jordan [Rutgers U., Piscataway]↗
Interface-sensitive microwave loss in superconducting tantalum films sputtered on c-plane sapphire
Quantum coherence in superconducting circuits has increased steadily over the last decades because of a growing understanding of the various loss mechanisms. Recently, tantalum (Ta) emerged as a promising material to address microscopic sources of loss found on niobium (Nb) or aluminum (Al) surfaces. However, the effects of film and interface microstructure on low-temperature microwave loss are still not well understood. Here, in this study, we present a systematic study of the structural and electrical properties of Ta and Nb films sputtered on c-plane sapphire at varying growth temperatures. As growth temperature was increased, our results show that the onset of epitaxial growth of α -phase Ta correlates with lower Ta surface roughness, higher critical temperature, and higher residual resistivity ratio, but surprisingly also correlates with a significant increase in loss at microwave frequency. Notably, this high level of loss is not observed in Nb films prepared in the same way and having very similar structure. By experimentally controlling the surface on which the Ta film is nucleated, we determine that the source of loss was only present in samples having an epitaxial Ta/sapphire interface and show that it was apparently mitigated by either growing a thin, epitaxial Nb interlayer between the Ta film and the substrate or by intentionally treating, and effectively damaging, the sapphire surface with an in situ argon plasma before Ta growth. In addition to elucidating this interfacial microwave loss, this work provides adequate process details to aid reproducible growth of low-loss Ta films across fabrication facilities.
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
Floquet-engineered fast SNAP gates in weakly coupled circuit-QED systems
Superconducting cavities with high quality factors, coupled to a fixed-frequency transmon, provide a state-of-the-art platform for quantum information storage and manipulation. The commonly used selective number-dependent arbitrary phase ( SNAP ) gate faces significant challenges in ultrahigh-coherence cavities, where the weak dispersive shifts necessary for preserving high coherence typically result in prolonged gate times. Here, in this work, we propose a protocol to achieve high-fidelity SNAP gates that are orders of magnitude faster than the standard implementation, surpassing the speed limit set by the bare dispersive shift. We achieve this enhancement by dynamically amplifying the dispersive coupling via sideband interactions, followed by quantum optimal control on the Floquet-engineered system. We also present a unified perturbation theory that explains both the gate acceleration and the associated benign drive-induced decoherence, corroborated by Floquet-Markov simulations. These results pave the way for the experimental realization of high-fidelity, selective control of weakly coupled, high-coherence cavities, and expanding the scope of optimal control techniques to a broader class of Floquet quantum systems.
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗