We investigate the quantum dynamics of a quadratic-quartic anharmonic oscillator formed by a potential well between two potential barriers. We realize this novel potential shape with a superconducting circuit comprised of a loop interrupted by two Josephson junctions, with near-zero current bias and flux bias near half a flux quantum. We investigate escape out of the central well, which can occur via tunneling through either of the two barriers, and find good agreement with a generalized double-path macroscopic quantum tunneling theory. We also demonstrate that this system exhibits an "optimal line" in current and flux bias space along which the oscillator, which can be operated as a phase qubit, is insensitive to decoherence due to low-frequency current fluctuations.
In this paper we discuss the coupling between a quantum mechanical superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) and an applied static magnetic field. We demonstrate that the backreaction of a SQUID on the applied field can interfere with the ability to bias the SQUID at values of the static (DC) magnetic flux at, or near to, transitions in the quantum mechanical SQUID.
In this paper we discuss design concepts for increasing the spatial resolution, improving the sensitivity, and reducing the invasiveness in scanning Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) microscope sensors with integrated flux pickup loops. This can be done not only by reducing the ground-rule line widths and spacings, but also by taking advantage of planarization, reducing flux noise through reducing the SQUID inductance, and reducing back-action through dispersive readouts or on-chip filtering.
We have measured the backaction of a dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) position detector on an integrated 1 MHz flexural resonator. The frequency and quality factor of the micromechanical resonator can be tuned with bias current and applied magnetic flux. The backaction is caused by the Lorentz force due to the change in circulating current when the resonator displaces. The experimental features are reproduced by numerical calculations using the resistively and capacitively shunted junction (RCSJ) model.
We report on the development of a new family of SQUID current sensors based on sub-micron cross-type Josephson tunnel junctions. Their low total junction capacitance permit high usable voltage swings of more than 100 μV and exceptional low noise of the SQUIDs at 4.2 K. Integrated rf-filter as well as high tolerable background fields during cool-down of up to 9.6 mT enable their highly reliable and easy use. With input coil inductances ranging from 10 nH to 2.8 μH and current sensitivities and coupled energy resolution down to 65 fA/Hz^{1/2} and below 10 h, respectively, they are a versatile to…
We present a readout method for superconducting flux qubits. The qubit quantum flux state can be measured by determining the Josephson inductance of an inductively coupled DC superconducting quantum interference device (DC-SQUID). We determine the response function of the DC-SQUID and its back-action on the qubit during measurement. Due to driving, the qubit energy relaxation rate depends on the spectral density of the measurement circuit noise at sum and difference frequencies of the qubit Larmor frequency and SQUID driving frequency. The qubit dephasing rate is proportional to the spectral d…
We provide a quantum analysis of a DC SQUID mechanical displacement detector within the sub-critical Josephson current regime. A segment of the SQUID loop forms the mechanical resonator and motion of the latter is transduced inductively through changes in the flux threading the loop. Expressions are derived for the detector signal response and noise, which are used to evaluate the position and force detection sensitivity. We also investigate cooling of the mechanical resonator due to back reaction noise from the detector.
We propose the use of a superconducting waveguide formed from an array of dc-SQUID's for investigating analogue Hawking radiation. Biasing the array with a space-time varying flux modifies the propagation velocity of the waveguide, leading to an effective metric with an horizon. Being a fundamentally quantum mechanical device, this setup allows for investigations of quantum effects such as back-reaction and analogue space-time fluctuations on the Hawking process.
Based on the superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) equations described by the resistively- and capacitively-shunted junction model coupled to the equation of motion of a damped harmonic oscillator, we provide simulations to quantitatively describe the interaction between a dc SQUID and an integrated doubly clamped cantilever. We have chosen to investigate an existing experimental configuration and have explored the motion of the cantilever and the reaction of the SQUID as a function of the voltage-flux $V(Φ)$ characteristics. We clearly observe the Lorentz force back-action inter…
Sensitive magnetometers that can operate in high magnetic fields are essential for detecting magnetic resonance signals originating from small ensembles of quantum spins. Such devices have potential applications in quantum technologies, in particular quantum computing. We present a novel experimental setup implementing a differential flux measurement using two DC-SQUID magnetometers. The differential measurement allows for cancellation of background flux signals while enhancing sample signal. The developed protocol uses pulsed readout which minimizes on-chip heating since sub-Kelvin temperatur…
In the customary mode of operation of a SQUID, the electromagnetic field in the SQUID is an oscillatory function of time. In this situation, electromagnetic radiation is emitted, and couples to the sample. This is a back-action that can alter the state that we intend to measure. A circuit that could perform as a stationary SQUID consists of a loop of superconducting material that encloses the magnetic flux, connected to a superconducting and to a normal electrode. This circuit does not contain Josephson junctions, or any other miniature feature. We study the evolution of the order parameter an…
There is currently fundamental and technological interest in measuring and manipulating nanoscale magnets, particularly in the quantum coherent regime. To observe the dynamics of such systems one requires a magnetometer with not only exceptional sensitivity but also high gain, wide bandwidth and low backaction. We demonstrate a dispersive magnetometer consisting of a two-junction SQUID in parallel with an integrated, lumped-element capacitor. Input flux signals are encoded as a phase modulation of the microwave drive tone applied to the magnetometer, resulting in a single quadrature voltage si…
Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) can have excellent spin sensitivity depending on their magnetic flux noise, pick-up loop diameter, and distance from the sample. We report a family of scanning SQUID susceptometers with terraced tips that position the pick-up loops 300 nm from the sample. The 600 nm - 2 um pickup loops, defined by focused ion beam, are integrated into a 12-layer optical lithography process allowing flux-locked feedback, in situ background subtraction and optimized flux noise. These features enable a sensitivity of ~70 electron spins per root Hertz at 4K.
We report on the total noise from an inductive motion transducer for a gravitational-wave antenna. The transducer uses a two-stage SQUID amplifier and has a noise temperature of 1.1 mK, of which 0.70 mK is due to back-action noise from the SQUID chip. The total noise includes thermal noise from the transducer mass, which has a measured Q of 2.60 X 10^6. The noise temperature exceeds the expected value of 3.5 μK by a factor of 200, primarily due to voltage noise at the input of the SQUID. Noise from flux trapped on the chip is found to be the most likely cause.
We recently presented the first superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) with single-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) Josephson junctions [1: J. P. Cleuziou, W. Wernsdorfer, V. Bouchiat, T. Ondarcuhu and M. Monthioux, Nature Nanotech. 1, 53, (2006).], http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/v1/n1/pdf/nnano.2006.54.pdf . We showed that quantum confinement in each junction induces a discrete quantum dot (QD) energy level structure, which can be controlled with two lateral electrostatic gates. In addition, a backgate electrode can vary the transparency of the QD barriers, thus permitting to ch…
