Linear circuit models for on-chip quantum electrodynamics

We present equivalent circuits that model the interaction of microwave resonators and quantum systems. The circuit models are derived from a general interaction Hamiltonian. Quantitative agreement between the simulated resonator transmission frequency, qubit Lamb shift and experimental data will be shown. We demonstrate that simple circuit models, using only linear passive elements, can be very useful in understanding systems where a small quantum system is coupled to a classical microwave apparatus

Broadband SNAIL parametric amplifier with microstrip impedance transformer

Josephson parametric amplifiers have emerged as a promising platform for quantum information processing and squeezed quantum states generation. Travelling wave and impedance-matched parametric amplifiers provide broad bandwidth for high-fidelity single-shot readout of multiple qubit superconducting circuits. Here, we present a quantum-limited 3-wave-mixing parametric amplifier based on superconducting nonlinear asymmetric inductive elements (SNAILs), whose useful bandwidth is enhanced with an on-chip two-section impedance-matching circuit based on microstrip transmission lines. The amplifier dynamic range is increased using an array of sixty-seven SNAILs with 268 Josephson junctions, forming a nonlinear quarter-wave resonator. Operating in a current-pumped mode, we experimentally demonstrate an average gain of $17 dB$ across $300 MHz$ bandwidth, along with an average saturation power of $- 100 dBm$, which can go as high as $- 97 dBm$ with quantum-limited noise performance. Moreover, the amplifier can be fabricated using a simple technology with just a one e-beam lithography step. Its central frequency is tuned over a several hundred megahertz, which in turn broadens the effective operational bandwidth to around $1.5 GHz$.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Low-Dimensional Materials for Disruptive Microwave Antennas Design

This chapter is devoted to a complete analysis of remarkable electromagnetic properties of nanomaterials suitable for antenna design miniaturization. After a review of state of the art mesoscopic scale modeling tools and characterization techniques in microwave domain, new approaches based on wideband material parameters identification (complex permittivity and conductivity) will be described from impedance equivalence formulation achievement by de-embedding techniques applicable in integrated technology or in free space. A focus on performances of 1D materials such as vertically aligned multi-wall carbon nanotube (VA-MWCNT) bundles, from theory to technology, will be presented as a disruptive demonstration for defense and civil applications as in radar systems

The 2017 Terahertz Science and Technology Roadmap

Science and technologies based on terahertz frequency electromagnetic radiation (100GHz-30THz) have developed rapidly over the last 30 years. For most of the 20th century, terahertz radiation, then referred to as sub-millimeter wave or far-infrared radiation, was mainly utilized by astronomers and some spectroscopists. Following the development of laser based terahertz time-domain spectroscopy in the 1980s and 1990s the field of THz science and technology expanded rapidly, to the extent that it now touches many areas from fundamental science to “real world” applications. For example THz radiation is being used to optimize materials for new solar cells, and may also be a key technology for the next generation of airport security scanners. While the field was emerging it was possible to keep track of all new developments, however now the field has grown so much that it is increasingly difficult to follow the diverse range of new discoveries and applications that are appearing. At this point in time, when the field of THz science and technology is moving from an emerging to a more established and interdisciplinary field, it is apt to present a roadmap to help identify the breadth and future directions of the field. The aim of this roadmap is to present a snapshot of the present state of THz science and technology in 2016, and provide an opinion on the challenges and opportunities that the future holds. To be able to achieve this aim, we have invited a group of international experts to write 17 sections that cover most of the key areas of THz Science and Technology. We hope that The 2016 Roadmap on THz Science and Technology will prove to be a useful resource by providing a wide ranging introduction to the capabilities of THz radiation for those outside or just entering the field as well as providing perspective and breadth for those who are well established. We also feel that this review should serve as a useful guide for government and funding agencies

Metamaterial

In-depth analysis of the theory, properties and description of the most potential technological applications of metamaterials for the realization of novel devices such as subwavelength lenses, invisibility cloaks, dipole and reflector antennas, high frequency telecommunications, new designs of bandpass filters, absorbers and concentrators of EM waves etc. In order to create a new devices it is necessary to know the main electrodynamical characteristics of metamaterial structures on the basis of which the device is supposed to be created. The electromagnetic wave scattering surfaces built with metamaterials are primarily based on the ability of metamaterials to control the surrounded electromagnetic fields by varying their permeability and permittivity characteristics. The book covers some solutions for microwave wavelength scales as well as exploitation of nanoscale EM wavelength such as visible specter using recent advances of nanotechnology, for instance in the field of nanowires, nanopolymers, carbon nanotubes and graphene. Metamaterial is suitable for scholars from extremely large scientific domain and therefore given to engineers, scientists, graduates and other interested professionals from photonics to nanoscience and from material science to antenna engineering as a comprehensive reference on this artificial materials of tomorrow

From RF-Microsystem Technology to RF-Nanotechnology

The RF microsystem technology is believed to introduce a paradigm switch in the wireless revolution. Although only few companies are to date doing successful business with RF-MEMS, and on a case-by-case basis, important issues need yet to be addressed in order to maximize yield and performance stability and hence, outperform alternative competitive technologies (e.g. ferroelectric, SoS, SOI,…). Namely the behavior instability associated to: 1) internal stresses of the free standing thin layers (metal and/or dielectric) and 2) the mechanical contact degradation, be it ohmic or capacitive, which may occur due to low forces, on small areas, and while handling severe current densities.The investigation and understanding of these complex scenario, has been the core of theoretical and experimental investigations carried out in the framework of the research activity that will be presented here. The reported results encompass activities which go from coupled physics (multiphysics) modeling, to the development of experimental platforms intended to tackles the underlying physics of failure. Several original findings on RF-MEMS reliability in particular with respect to the major failure mechanisms such as dielectric charging, metal contact degradation and thermal induced phenomena have been obtained. The original use of advanced experimental setup (surface scanning microscopy, light interferometer profilometry) has allowed the definition of innovative methodology capable to isolate and separately tackle the different degradation phenomena under arbitrary working conditions. This has finally permitted on the one hand to shed some light on possible optimization (e.g. packaging) conditions, and on the other to explore the limits of microsystem technology down to the nanoscale. At nanoscale indeed many phenomena take place and can be exploited to either enhance conventional functionalities and performances (e.g. miniaturization, speed or frequency) or introduce new ones (e.g. ballistic transport). At nanoscale, moreover, many phenomena exhibit their most interesting properties in the RF spectrum (e.g. micromechanical resonances). Owing to the fact that today’s minimum manufacturable features have sizes comparable with the fundamental technological limits (e.g. surface roughness, metal grain size, …), the next generation of smart systems requires a switching paradigm on how new miniaturized components are conceived and fabricated. In fact endowed by superior electrical and mechanical performances, novel nanostructured materials (e.g. carbon based, as carbon nanotube (CNT) and graphene) may provide an answer to this endeavor. Extensively studied in the DC and in the optical range, the studies engaged in LAAS have been among the first to target microwave and millimiterwave transport properties in carbon-based material paving the way toward RF nanodevices. Preliminary modeling study performed on original test structures have highlighted the possibility to implement novel functionalities such as the coupling between the electromagnetic (RF) and microelectromechanical energy in vibrating CNT (toward the nanoradio) or the high speed detection based on ballistic transport in graphene three-terminal junction (TTJ). At the same time these study have contributed to identify the several challenges still laying ahead such as the development of adequate design and modeling tools (ballistic/diffusive, multiphysics and large scale factor) and practical implementation issues such as the effects of material quality and graphene-metal contact on the electrical transport. These subjects are the focus of presently on-going and future research activities and may represent a cornerstone of future wireless applications from microwave up to the THz range

Nitrogen-Vacancy Coupling in Nanodiamond Hybrid Nanostructures

Nitrogen-vacancy centers (NVs) are an atomic defect in diamond which possess remarkable fluorescence and spin properties which can be used for multiple metrological applications, particularly when the NV is hosted in nanodiamond, which can be easily integrated with a variety of nanoscale systems. A new class of nanodiamond hybrid nanostructures was developed using bottom-up synthesis methods. In this work, coupling between NV centers and plasmonic, excitonic and magnetic nanoparticles in these nanodiamond hybrid nanostructures is investigated using fluorescence lifetime measurements, spin relaxometry measurements and modeled using finite element method (FEM) and Monte Carlo simulations. This work not only characterizes the properties of these nanodiamond-hybrid nanostructures but also facilitates design guidelines for future hybrid structures with enhanced metrological and imaging capabilities

Surface plasmons for enhanced metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors

Surface Plasmon Polaritons (SPPs) are quantized charge density oscillations that occur when a photon couples to the free electron gas of the metal at the interface between a metal and a dielectric. The extraordinary properties of SPP allow for sub-diffraction limit waveguiding and localized field enhancement. The emerging field of surface plasmonics has applied SPP coupling to a number of new and interesting applications, such as: Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), super lenses, nano-scale optical circuits, optical filters and SPP enhanced photodetectors. In the past decade, there have been several experimental and theoretical research and development activities which reported on the extraordinary optical transmission through subwavelength metallic apertures as well as through periodic metal grating structures. The use of SPP for light absorption enhancement using sub-wavelength metal gratings promises an increased enhancement in light collection efficiency of photovoltaic devices. A subwavelength plasmonic nanostructure grating interacts strongly with the incident light and potentially traps it inside the subsurface region of semiconductor substrates. Among all photodetectors, the Metal-Semiconductor-Metal photodetector (MSM-PD) is the simplest structure. Moreover, due to the lateral geometry of the MSM-PDs, the capacitance of an MSM-PD is much lower than capacitances of p-i-n PDs and Avalanche PDs, making its response time in the range of a few tens of picoseconds for nano-scale spacing between the electrode fingers. These features of simple fabrication and high speed make MSM-PDs attractive and essential devices for high-speed optical interconnects, highsensitivity optical samplers and ultra-wide bandwidth optoelectronic integrated circuits (OEIC) receivers for fibre optic communication systems. However, while MSM-PDs offer faster response than their p-i-n PD and avalanche PD counterparts, their most significant drawbacks are the high reflectivity of the metal fingers and the very-low light transmission through the spacing between the fingers, leading to very low photodetector sensitivity. This thesis proposes, designs and demonstrates the concept of a novel plasmonicbased MSM-PD employing metal nano-gratings and sub-wavelength slits. Various metal nano-gratings are designed on top of the gold fingers of an MSM-PD based on gallium arsenide (GaAs) for an operating wavelength of 830 nm to create SPP-enhanced MSM-PDs. Both the geometry and light absorption near the designed wavelength are theoretically and experimentally investigated. Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) simulation is used to simulate and design plasmonic MSM-PDs devices for maximal field enhancement. The simulation results show more than 10 times enhancement for the plasmonic nano-grating MSM-PD compared with the device without the metal nano-gratings, for 100 nm slit difference, due to the improved optical signal propagation through the nano-gratings. A dual beam FIB/ SEM is employed for the fabrication of metal nano-gratings and the sub-wavelength slit of the MSM-PD. Experimentally, we demonstrate the principle of plasmonics-based MSM-PDs and attain a measured photodetector responsivity that is 4 times better than that of conventional single-slit MSM-PDs. We observe reduction in the responsivity as the bias voltage increases and the input light polarization varies. Our experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of developing high-responsivity, low bias-voltage high-speed MSM-PDs. A novel multi-finger plasmonics-based GaAs MSM-PD structure is optimized geometrically using the 2-D FDTD method and developed, leading to more than 7 times enhancement in photocurrent in comparison with the conventional MSM-PD of similar dimensions at a bias voltage as low as 0.3V. This enhancement is attributed to the coupling of SPPs with the incident light through the nano-structured metal fingers. Moreover, the plasmonic-based MSM-PD shows high sensitivity to the incident light polarization states. Combining the polarization sensitivity and the wavelength selective guiding nature of the nano-gratings, the plasmonic MSM-PD can be used to design high-sensitivity polarization diversity receivers, integrating polarization splitters and polarization CMOS imaging sensors. We also propose and demonstrate a plasmonic-based GaAs balanced metalsemiconductor- metal photodetector (B-MSM-PD) structure and we measure a common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) value less than 25 dB at 830nm wavelength. This efficient CMRR value makes our B-MSM-PD structure suitable for ultra-high-speed optical telecommunication systems. In addition, this work paves the way for the monolithic integration of B-MSM-PDs into large scale semiconductor circuits. This thesis demonstrates several new opportunities for resonant plasmonic nanostructures able to enhance the responsivity of the MSM-PD. The presented concepts and insights hold great promise for new applications in integrated optics, photovoltaics, solidstate lighting and imaging below the diffraction limit. In Chapter 10 we conclude this thesis by summarizing and discussing some possible applications and future research directions based on SPP field concentration