Realization of robust coherent quantum phase slips represents a significant
experimental challenge. Here we propose a new design consisting of multiple
nanowire junctions to realize a phase-slip flux qubit. It admits good
tunability provided by gate voltages applied on superconducting islands
separating nanowire junctions. In addition, the gates and junctions can be
identical or distinct to each other leading to symmetric and asymmetric setups.
We find that the asymmetry can improve the performance of the proposed device,
compared with the symmetric case. In particular, it can enhance the effective
rate of collective quantum phase slips. Furthermore, we demonstrate how to
couple two such devices via a mutual inductance. This is potentially useful for
quantum gate operations. Our investigation on how symmetry in multiple nanowire
junctions affects the device performance should be useful for the application
of phase-slip flux qubits in quantum information processing and quantum
metrology.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figure
