用Josephson结电子模拟器测量磁通量子2e/h

介绍用Josephson结电子模拟器在政党温度下，模拟测量磁通量子2e/h，用模拟器来研究Josephosn结的特性。该实验可作为普通物理实验中课题设计实验的一个内容。     

A model of quantum measurement in Josephson junctions

A model for the quantum measurement of the electronic current in a Josephson junction is presented and analyzed. The model is similar to a Stern-Gerlach apparatus, relying on the deflection of a spin-polarized particle beam by the magnetic field created by the Josephson current. The aim is (1) to explore, with the help of a simple model, some general ideas about the nature of the information which can be obtained by measurements upon a quantum system and (2) to find new approaches for obtaining information about the nature of the states of a macroscopic quantum system. In the case of sufficiently strong coupling between the system and the apparatus, we find that the model provides in principle a standard ideal measurement of the value of the instantaneous Josephson current. In the case of weak coupling, where the measurement is not ideal, we show that the scattering of neutrons from a junction can in principle be used to measure the average value of the Josephson current, thereby allowing an experimental distinction to be made between an eigenstate of relative phase and one of relative Cooper pair number. The possibility of the latter type of measurement suggests an experimental approach to answer a question of fundamental interest, namely whether two isolated superconductors (or superfluids) possess a definite relative phase or a definite relative number of superconducting (or super/lowing) particles.     

Vertical Josephson interferometers for quantum computation

We characterize a niobium-based vertical Josephson interferometer which we propose to include in a superconducting loop for applications to quantum computation using flux qubits. The most interesting feature of this device is that the Josephson current is precisely modulated by a small transversal magnetic field parallel to superconducting loop plane from a maximum to zero, with fine control and precision. This device can be used to independently control the off-diagonal Hamiltonian terms of flux qubits and/or to control the flux transfer function of a superconducting transformer for inter-qubits coupling.     

用于精密测量玻尔兹曼常数的量子电压噪声源芯片研制

量子噪声温度计系统可通过比较导体中电子运动的热噪声和量子电压参考噪声精密测量玻尔兹曼常数,其中量子电压噪声源所合成的量子电压参考噪声由一组超导约瑟夫森结阵产生.本文详细介绍了基于Nb/Nb_xSi_(1-x)/Nb约瑟夫森结的量子电压噪声源芯片的设计、制备及测试;采用脉冲驱动模式,合成了具有量子精度的100 kHz交流量子电压信号.结果表明:本文所研制的噪声温度计核心芯片已具备了合成交流电压的功能,可为后续玻尔兹曼常数精密定值、重新定义及复现热力学温度研究提供核心器件.     

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.     

在一个磁通量子内dc Josephson电流的阶梯效应(Ⅰ)——双结SQUID

如果将由两个相同的Josephson结组成的双结SQUID放置于Q值足够高的谐振腔内,当其Josephson频率ω=2eV₀/h与谐振腔的本征频率ω_r发生谐振时,腔内就被激起一个驻波电磁场,这个场对两个结的反馈作用,将导致双结SQUID的dc Josephson电流在一个磁通量子内随磁场产生多次阶梯效应。理论给出两个结的Josephson电流产生一系列新的干涉作用:如果两个结分别位于反馈场的波峰,则阶跃电流加强;如果其中一个位于波谷,则使SQUID的干涉图形改变π/2位相,且两个结电流产生相干性减小;如果一个在波峰一个在波节,则SQUID退化到单结;如果两个结都在波节,则不出现n≠0的阶梯。 关键词：     

Observation of flux qubit states with the help of a superconducting differential double contour interferometer

The critical current of a new structure, the superconducting differential double contour interferometer (DDCI), investigated recently, depends on the parity of the sum of quantum numbers of the two superconducting loops connected in two points by two Josephson junctions. The theory confirms that the DDCI structure can be used for the ideal readout of quantum states of the flux qubit. Large jumps in the critical current and voltage enables to observe continuously the change in time the state of the flux qubit. Such observations can have fundamental importance for the investigation of macroscopic quantum systems with strongly discrete spectrum such as the flux qubit. The DDCI structure can also be used for precise measurement of a very weak magnetic field.     

Quantum toys for quantum computing: persistent currents controlled by the spin Josephson effect

Quantum devices and computers will need operational units in different architectural configurations for their functioning. The unit should be a simple "quantum toy," an easy to handle superposition state. Here such a novel unit of quantum mechanical flux state (or persistent current) in a conducting ring with three ferromagnetic quantum dots is presented. The state is labeled by the two directions of the persistent current, which is driven by the spin chirality of the dots, and is controlled by the spin (the spin Josephson effect). It is demonstrated that by the use of two connected rings, one can carry out unitary transformations on the input flux state by controlling one spin in one of the rings, enabling us to prepare superposition states. The flux is shown to be a quantum operation gate, and may be useful in quantum computing.     

Phase escape of current-biased Josephson junctions

Switching current distributions of an Nb/Al--AlO_x/Nb Josephson junction are measured in a temperature range from 25~mK to 800~mK. We analyse the phase escape properties by using the theory of Larkin and Ovchinnikov (LO) which takes discrete energy levels into account. Our results show that the phase escape can be well described by the LO approach for temperatures near and below the crossover from thermal activation to macroscopic quantum tunneling. These results are helpful for further study of macroscopic quantum phenomena in Josephson junctions where discrete energy levels need to be considered.     

Observation of high coherence in Josephson junction qubits measured in a three-dimensional circuit QED architecture

Superconducting quantum circuits based on Josephson junctions have made rapid progress in demonstrating quantum behavior and scalability. However, the future prospects ultimately depend upon the intrinsic coherence of Josephson junctions, and whether superconducting qubits can be adequately isolated from their environment. We introduce a new architecture for superconducting quantum circuits employing a three-dimensional resonator that suppresses qubit decoherence while maintaining sufficient coupling to the control signal. With the new architecture, we demonstrate that Josephson junction qubits are highly coherent, with T2 ～ 10 to 20 μs without the use of spin echo, and highly stable, showing no evidence for 1/f critical current noise. These results suggest that the overall quality of Josephson junctions in these qubits will allow error rates of a few 10(-4), approaching the error correction threshold.     

Josephson结开关电流分布的测量方案探讨

Josephson结的开关电流存在着一定的分布.利用开关电流的分布,我们可以推算出Josephson结的逸出率.进一步结合合适的微波辐照,还可以获得结的诸如能级、拉比振荡等许多相关的量子特性.Josephson结的开关电流分布的获得,对于研究超导量子比特,包括相位量子比特、电荷量子比特、磁通量子比特和涡流量子比特以及他们的组合量子比特都有着重要意义.我们提出了三种测量方案,对这三种方案进行了比较,并初步的对自制的NbN/AlNx/NbN Josephson结的开关电流进行了多次(104次)测量,得到一定温度下的开关电流分布的直方图.针对三种方案各自的优缺点及已有的结果,我们提出了需要进一步改进的措施,对于下一步开展在极低温下(mK)Josephson结的开关电流分布的测量有着重要的意义.     

Persistent current in a superconductor/quantum-dot ring/superconductor system

By means of the non-equilibrium Green's function technique, the inter-dot and Josephson currents in a superconductor/quantum-dot ring/superconductor (S/QDR/S) system are theoretically investigated. We found that a persistent current can coexist with the Josephson current in this hybrid QDR system when the inter-dot currents are all flowing in the clockwise (or anticlockwise) direction. The magnitude and direction of the persistent current can be controlled experimentally by the adjustment of some structure parameters, such as the quantum dot (QD) levels, the phase difference of the two external superconducting leads and the magnetic flux phase factor.     

Josephson current through a nanoscale magnetic quantum dot

We present theoretical results for the equilibrium Josephson current through an Anderson dot tuned into the magnetic regime, using Hirsch-Fye Monte Carlo simulations covering the complete crossover from Kondo-dominated physics to pi junction behavior in a numerically exact way. Within the "magnetic" regime, U/Gamma > 1 and epsilon0/Gamma < or = 1, the Josephson current is found to depend only on Delta/TK, where Delta is the BCS gap and TK the Kondo temperature. The junction behavior can be classified into four different quantum phases. We describe these behaviors, specify the associated three transition points, and identify a local minimum in the critical current of the junction as a function of Delta/TK.     

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．     

Correlated quantum transport of density wave electrons

Recently observed Aharonov-Bohm quantum interference of the period h/2e in charge density wave rings strongly suggests that correlated density wave electron transport is a cooperative quantum phenomenon. The picture discussed here posits that quantum solitons nucleate and transport current above a Coulomb blockade threshold field. We propose a field-dependent tunneling matrix element and use the Schr?dinger equation, viewed as an emergent classical equation as in Feynman's treatment of Josephson tunneling, to compute the evolving macrostate amplitudes, finding excellent quantitative agreement with voltage oscillations and current-voltage characteristics in NbSe(3). A proposed phase diagram shows the conditions favoring soliton nucleation versus classical depinning.     

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.     

Interaction of mesoscopic Josephson devices with non-classical microwaves

Mesoscopic Josephson devices, interacting with non-classical microwaves, are studied. The phase difference in Josephson's equations is a quantum mechanical operator, whose expectation value with respect to the density matrix describing the microwaves, determines the current. Dual phenomena with vortex condensates in Josephson array insulators are also considered. Dual Josephson junctions for vortices, made from two insulators separated by a weak link through which the vortices tunnel, are described by dual Josephson equations.     

Adiabatic quantum pumping at the Josephson frequency

We analyze theoretically adiabatic quantum pumping through a normal conductor that couples the normal regions of two superconductor - normal-metal - superconductor Josephson junctions. By using the phases of the superconducting order parameter in the superconducting contacts as pumping parameters, we demonstrate that a nonzero pumped charge can flow through the device. The device exploits the evolution of the superconducting phases due to the ac Josephson effect, and can therefore be operated at very high frequency, resulting in a pumped current as large as a few nanoamperes. The experimental relevance of our calculations is discussed.     

The dc Josephson current in cylindrical junctions

The dc Josephson current between co-axial cylinders is calculated for arbitrary Josephson penetration depth. The results support the interpretation of recent experiments which determined the magnetic-field dependence of the Josephson critical current density. The interpretation centers on the conclusion that the Josephson current vanishes when the fluxoid quantum number differ.