Fine tuning of phase qubit parameters for optimization of fast single-pulse readout

We analyze a two-level quantum system, describing the phase qubit, during a single-pulse readout process by a numerical solution of the time-dependent Schroedinger equation. It has been demonstrated that the readout error has a minimum for certain values of the system`s basic parameters. In particular, the optimization of the qubit capacitance and the readout pulse shape leads to significant reduction of the readout error. It is shown that in an ideal case the fidelity can be increased to almost 97% for 2 ns pulse duration and to 96% for 1 ns pulse duration.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Soliton scattering as a measurement tool for weak signals

We have considered relativistic soliton dynamics governed by the sine-Gordon equation and affected by short spatial inhomogeneities of the driving force and thermal noise. Developed analytical and numerical methods for calculation of soliton scattering at the inhomogeneities allowed us to examine the scattering as a measurement tool for sensitive detection of polarity of the inhomogeneities. We have considered the superconducting fluxonic ballistic detector as an example of the device in which the soliton scattering is utilized for quantum measurements of superconducting flux qubits. We optimized the soliton dynamics for the measurement process varying the starting and the stationary soliton velocity as well as configuration of the inhomogeneities. For experimentally relevant parameters we obtained the signal-to-noise ratio above 100 reflecting good practical usability of the measurement concept

Towards a microwave single-photon counter for searching axions

The major task of detecting axions or axion-like particles has two challenges. On the one hand, the ultimate sensitivity is required, down to the energy of a single microwave photon of the yoctojoule range. On the other hand, since the detected events are supposed to be rare, the dark count rate of the detector must be extremely low. We show that this trade-off can be approached due to the peculiar switching dynamics of an underdamped Josephson junction in the phase diffusion regime. The detection of a few photons\u27 energy at 10 GHz with dark count time above 10 s and the efficiency close to unity was demonstrated. Further enhancements require a detailed investigation of the junction switching dynamics

Approaching microwave photon sensitivity with Al Josephson junctions

Here, we experimentally test the applicability of an aluminium Josephson junction of a few micrometers size as a single photon counter in the microwave frequency range. We have measured the switching from the superconducting to the resistive state through the absorption of 10 GHz photons. The dependence of the switching probability on the signal power suggests that the switching is initiated by the simultaneous absorption of three and more photons, with a dark count time above 0.01 s

Response of a cold-electron bolometer on thz radiation from a long yba2cu3o7−δ bicrystal josephson junction

The response of the Cold-Electron Bolometers (CEBs), integrated into a 2-D array of dipole antennas, has been measured by irradiation from YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) 50 \ub5m long Josephson junction into the THz region at frequencies from 0.1 to 0.8 THz. The possibility of controlling the amplitude-frequency characteristic is demonstrated by the external magnetic field in the traveling wave regime of a long Josephson junction. The YBCO junction has been formed on the bicrystal Zr1−xYxO2 (YSZ) substrate by magnetron sputtering and etching of the film. CEBs have been fabricated using an Al multilayer structure by a self-aligned shadow evaporation technique on Si substrate. Both receiver and oscillator have been located inside the same cryostat at 0.3 K and 2.7 K plates, respectively