Electrically tunable macroscopic quantum tunneling in a graphene-based Josephson junction

Stochastic switching-current distribution in a graphene-based Josephson junction exhibits a crossover from the classical to quantum regime, revealing the macroscopic quantum tunneling of a Josephson phase particle at low temperatures. Microwave spectroscopy measurements indicate a multiphoton absorption process occurring via discrete energy levels in washboard potential well. The crossover temperature for macroscopic quantum tunneling and the quantized level spacing are controlled with the gate voltage, implying its potential application to gate-tunable superconducting quantum bits.     

Zener enhancement of quantum tunneling in a two-level superconducting circuit

We have investigated the macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT) of the phase across a Josephson junction embedded in a superconducting circuit. This system is equivalent to a spin 1/2 particle in a potential energy well. The MQT escape rate of such a particle was recently predicted to be strongly modified when a crossing of its inner Zeeman levels occurs while tunneling. In this regime, we observe a significant enhancement of the MQT rate and compare it to theory.     

Multiphoton transitions between energy levels in a current-biased Josephson tunnel junction

The escape of a current-biased Josephson tunnel junction from the zero-voltage state in the presence of weak microwave radiation is investigated experimentally at low temperatures. The measurements of the junction switching current distribution indicate the macroscopic quantum tunneling of the phase below a crossover temperature of T small star, filled approximately 280 mK. At temperatures below T small star, filled we observe both single-photon and multiphoton transitions between the junction energy levels by applying microwave radiation in the frequency range between 10 and 38 GHz to the junction. These observations reflect the anharmonicity of the junction potential containing only a small number of levels.     

Fabrication of high-quality submicron Nb/Al--AlOx/Nb tunnel junctions

Nb/Al-AlOx/Nb tunnel junctions are often used in the studies of macroscopic quantum phenomena and superconducting qubit applications of the Josephson devices. In this work, we describe a convenient and reliable process using electron beam lithography for the fabrication of high-quality, submicron-sized Nb/Al-AlOx/Nb Josephson junctions. The technique follows the well-known selective Nb etching process and produces high-quality junctions with Vm=100 mV at 2.3 K for the typical critical current density of 2.2 kA/cm^2, which can be adjusted by controlling the oxygen pressure and oxidation time during the formation of the tunnelling barrier. We present the results of the temperature dependence of the sub-gap current and in-plane magnetic-field dependence of the critical current, and compare them with the theoretical predictions.     

Quantum transitions of a small Josephson junction array

We have experimentally studied a small Josephson junction array in the presence of microwave irradiation. The array has comparable energy scales for single-charge effects and the Josephson effect, resulting in a discrete set of macroscopic eigenenergy levels. Excitation of the array by low-power microwaves is possible at frequencies where the photon energy matches the level spacing. The microwave frequency and amplitude dependence show that the excitation mechanism involves resonant quantum coherent dynamics of the array.     

约瑟夫森器件中的宏观量子现象及超导量子计算

超导体中的电子结成库珀对，凝聚到可以用一个宏观波函数来描绘的能量基态，该波函数的位相是代表了成百万库珀对集体运动的宏观变量．以约瑟夫森结为基础元件的超导约瑟夫森器件，使人们能够控制并测量一个超导体的位相和库珀对数目，因此是研究宏观量子现象的理想系统．文章回顾了约瑟夫森器件中的宏观量子现象研究的发展历程，介绍了当前超导约瑟夫森器件在量子计算中的重要应用，并对它们的未来作了简要的展望．     

Quantum phase diffusion in a small underdamped Josephson junction

Quantum phase diffusion in a small underdamped Nb/AlO(x)/Nb junction (～0.4 μm(2)) is demonstrated in a wide temperature range of 25-140 mK where macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT) is the dominant escape mechanism. We propose a two-step transition model to describe the switching process in which the escape rate out of the potential well and the transition rate from phase diffusion to the running state are considered. The transition rate extracted from the experimental switching current distribution follows the predicted Arrhenius law in the thermal regime but is greatly enhanced when MQT becomes dominant.     

Macroscopic quantum tunneling in d-wave YBa2Cu3O7-delta Josephson junctions

The escape rate from the zero voltage state in a superconducting Josephson junction (JJ) is determined by the temperature, but it saturates at low temperature due to macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT). Complications due to d-wave symmetry in a high temperature superconductor, like low energy quasiparticles and an unconventional current-phase relation, may influence the escape rate. We report, for the first time to our knowledge, the observation of MQT in a YBa(2)Cu(3)O(7-delta) grain boundary biepitaxial JJ. This proves that dissipation can be significantly reduced by a proper junction configuration, which is of significance for quantum coherence.     

Nanoscale superconducting quantum bits

Various physical systems were proposed for quantum information processing. Among those nanoscale devices appear most promising for integration in electronic circuits and large-scale applications. We discuss Josephson junction circuits in two regimes where they can be used for quantum computing. These systems combine intrinsic coherence of the superconducting state with control possibilities of single-charge circuits. In the regime where the typical charging energy dominates over the Josephson coupling, the low-temperature dynamics is limited to two states differing by a Cooper-pair charge on a superconducting island. In the opposite regime of prevailing Josephson energy, the phase (or flux) degree of freedom can be used to store and process quantum information. Under suitable conditions the system reduces to two states with different flux configurations. Several qubits can be joined together into a register. The quantum state of a qubit register can be manipulated by voltage and magnetic field pulses. The qubits are inevitably coupled to the environment. However, estimates of the phase coherence time show that many elementary quantum logic operations can be performed before the phase coherence is lost. In addition to manipulations, the final state of the qubits has to be read out. This quantum measurement process can be accomplished using a single-electron transistor for charge Josephson qubits, and a d.c.-SQUID for flux qubits. Recent successful experiments with superconducting qubits demonstrate for the first time quantum coherence in macroscopic systems.     

Comments about the escape temperature representation of experiments on macroscopic quantum tunnelling

Summary The technique of analysing the data on macroscopic quantum tunnelling effects in Josephson junctions in terms of the escape temperature is discussed in connection with some important experiments. In particular we analyse the effect of an uncertainty on the determination of the Josephson critical current in the current dependence of the escape temperature. As a result we point out that the experimental errors are of the same order of the effect to be observed.     

One-shot quantum measurement using a hysteretic dc SQUID

We propose a single shot quantum measurement to determine the state of a Josephson charge quantum bit (qubit). The qubit is a Cooper pair box and the measuring device is a two junction superconducting quantum interference device (dc SQUID). This coupled system exhibits a close analogy with a Rydberg atom in a high Q cavity, except that in the present device we benefit from the additional feature of escape from the supercurrent state by macroscopic quantum tunneling, which provides the final readout. We test the feasibility of our idea against realistic experimental circuit parameters and by analyzing the phase fluctuations of the qubit.     

宏观共振隧穿的新进展及其在量子信息处理中的应用(英文)

从量子力学诞生以来,关于宏观物体的运动是否遵循量子力学的辩论就一直没有停止过。上世纪八十年代初期以来,一系列在约瑟夫森结和超导量子干涉器件(SQUID)中观测到的实验结果,包括相位和磁通的宏观量子隧穿,能级量子化,宏观共振隧穿,和在微波驱动下的相干动力学过程对认为宏观物体的运动在满足一定条件下同样遵循量子力学规律的观点提供了强有力的实验证据。在众多已观察到的宏观量子现象中,宏观共振隧穿结合了能级分立和隧穿这两个最具特征的量子现象。由于宏观共振隧穿的观测无需使用高频电磁波激发,这就避免了实验结果也可以用经典物理解释的可能,所以在一个系统中观测到宏观共振隧穿可以说是展示该系统的量子属性的最有力证据。本文讨论近年来从理论和实验两方面理解耗散和磁通噪声对类似SQUID的双势阱系统宏观共振隧穿率和谱线形状的影响。评述宏观共振隧穿谱的测量在探寻、理解、克服超导磁通量子比特中的退相干机制并最终实现规模化量子计算方面的应用。     

Effects of capacitive coupling on the escape rate in intrinsic Josephson junction stacks

We formulate a macroscopic quantum theory that can describe the macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT) in intrinsic Josephson junctions (IJJs). The capacitively coupled IJJ model is quantized in terms of the canonical quantization method. The multi-junction effect for the MQT to the first resistive branch is clarified. It is shown that the escape rate is greatly enhanced by the capacitive coupling between junctions.     

Quantum jumps between macroscopic quantum states of a superconducting qubit coupled to a microscopic two-level system

We report the observation of quantum jumps between macroscopic quantum states in a superconducting phase qubit coupled to the two-level systems in the Josephson tunnel junction, and all key features of quantum jumps are confirmed in the experiments. Moreover, quantum jumps can be used to calibrate such two-level systems, which are believed to be one of the main decoherence sources in Josephson devices.     

宏观共振隧穿的新进展及其在量子信息处理中的应用

从量子力学诞生以来,关于宏观物体的运动是否遵循量子力学的辩论就一直没有停止过.上世纪八十年代初期以来,一系列在约瑟夫森结和超导最子干涉器件(SQUID)中观测到的实验结果,包括相位和磁通的宏观量子隧穿,能级量子化,宏观共振隧穿,和在微波驱动下的相干动力学过程对认为宏观物体的运动在满足一定条件下同样遵循量子力学规律的观点提供了强有力的实验证据.在众多已观察到的宏观量子现象中,宏观共振隧穿结合了能级分立和隧穿这两个最具特征的量子现象.由于宏观共振隧穿的观测无需使用高频电磁波激发,这就避免了实验结果也可以用经典物理解释的可能,所以在一个系统中观测到宏观共振隧穿可以说是展示该系统的量子属性的最有力证据.本文讨论近年来从理论和实验两方面理解耗散和磁通噪声对类似SQUID的双势阱系统宏观共振隧穿率和谱线形状的影响.评述宏观共振隧穿谱的测量在探寻、理解、克服超导磁通量子比特中的退相干机制并最终实现规模化量子计算方面的应用.     

On the classical model for microwave induced escape from a Josephson washboard potential

We revisit the interpretation of earlier low temperature experiments on Josephson junctions under the influence of applied microwaves. It was claimed that these experiments unambiguously established a quantum phenomenology with discrete levels in shallow wells of the washboard potential, and macroscopic quantum tunneling. We here apply the previously developed classical theory to a direct comparison with the original experimental observations, and we show that the experimental data can be accurately represented classically. Thus, our analysis questions the necessity of the earlier quantum mechanical interpretation.     

Quantum terahertz electrodynamics and macroscopic quantum tunneling in layered superconductors

We derive a quantum field theory of Josephson plasma waves (JPWs) in layered superconductors, which describes two types of interacting JPW bosonic quanta (one heavy and one lighter). We propose a mechanism of enhancement of macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT) in stacks of intrinsic Josephson junctions. Because of the long-range interaction between junctions in layered superconductors, the calculated MQT escape rate Gamma has a nonlinear dependence on the number of junctions in the stack. We show that the crossover temperature between quantum and thermal escape increases when increasing the number of junctions. This allows us to quantitatively describe striking recent experiments in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+delta stacks.     

0-π oscillations in nanostructured Nb/Fe/Nb Josephson junctions

The physics of the π phase shift in ferromagnetic Josephson junctions may enable a range of applications for spin-electronic devices and quantum computing. We investigate transitions from “0” to “π” states in Nb/Fe/Nb Josephson junctions by varying the Fe barrier thickness from 0.5 nm to 5.5 nm. From magnetic measurements we estimate for Fe a magnetic dead layer of about 1.1 nm. By fitting the characteristic voltage oscillations with existing theoretical models we extrapolate an exchange energy of 256 meV, a Fermi velocity of 1.98 ×10⁵ m/s and an electron mean free path of 6.2 nm, in agreement with other reported values. From the temperature dependence of the I_CR_N product we show that its decay rate exhibits a nonmonotonic oscillatory behavior with the Fe barrier thickness.     

约瑟夫森结跳变电流在微波辐照下的分布

在16 mK的极低温下,我们对电流偏置的Nb/AlOx/Nb结进行了跳变电流统计分布的测量.在没有外加微波的辐照时,分布曲线只有一个峰;在有外加微波的辐照时,其跳变电流的统计分布除了基峰外,会出现谐振峰,形成双峰结构.该谐振峰的位置和结的量子化的能级相关,其高度随外加微波功率的改变而改变.研究约瑟夫森结跳变电流在微波辐照下的分布,对于研究超导量子比特的能级量子化、Rabi振荡等具有重要的意义.     

铌基超导量子比特及辅助器件的制备

近年来超导量子计算的研究方兴未艾,随着谷歌宣布首次实现“量子优势”,这一领域的研究受到了人们进一步的广泛关注.超导量子比特是具有量子化能级、量子态叠加和量子态纠缠等典型量子特性的宏观器件,通过电磁脉冲信号控制磁通量、电荷或具有非线性电感和无能量耗散的约瑟夫森结上的位相差,可对量子态进行精确调控,从而实现量子计算和量子信息处理.超导量子比特有着诸多方面的优势,很有希望成为普适量子计算的核心组成部分.以铌或其他硬金属(如钽等)为首层大面积材料制备的超导量子比特及辅助器件(简称铌基器件)拥有其独特的优点以及进一步发展的空间,目前已引起越来越多的兴趣.本文将介绍常见的多种超导量子比特的基本构成和工作原理,进而按照器件加工的一般顺序,从基片选择和预处理、薄膜生长、图形转移、刻蚀和约瑟夫森结的制备等方面详细介绍铌基超导量子比特及其辅助器件的多种制备工艺,为超导量子比特的制备提供一个可借鉴的清晰的工艺过程.最后,介绍若干制备铌基超导量子比特与辅助器件的具体例子,并对器件制备的工艺与方法的优化做展望.