Quantum search via superconducting quantum interference devices in a cavity

We propose a scheme for implementing the Grover search algorithm with two superconducting quantum interference devices （SQUIDs） in a cavity. Our scheme only requires single resonant interaction of the SQUID-cavity system and the required interaction time is very short. The simplicity of the process and the reduction of the interaction time are important for restraining decoherence.

Low-T_c direct current superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer-based 36-channel magnetocardiography system in a magnetically shielded room

We constructed a 36-channel magnetocardiography（MCG） system based on low-Tc direct current（DC） superconducting quantum interference device（SQUID） magnetometers operated inside a magnetically shielded room（MSR）. Weakly damped SQUID magnetometers with large Steward–Mc Cumber parameter βc（βc≈ 5）, which could directly connect to the operational amplifier without any additional feedback circuit, were used to simplify the readout electronics. With a flux-to-voltage transfer coefficient V / Φ larger than 420 μV/Φ0, the SQUID magnetometers had a white noise level of about 5.5 f T·Hz-1/2when operated in MSR. 36 sensing magnetometers and 15 reference magnetometers were employed to realize software gradiometer configurations. The coverage area of the 36 sensing magnetometers is 210×210 mm2. MCG measurements with a high signal-to-noise ratio of 40 d B were done successfully using the developed system.

Implementation of quantum partial search with superconducting quantum interference device qudits in cavity QED

We present a method to implement the quantum partial search of the database separated into any number of blocks with qudits, D-level quantum systems. Compared with the partial search using qubits, our method needs fewer iteration steps and uses the carriers of the information more economically. To illustrate how to realize the idea with concrete physical systems, we propose a scheme to carry out a twelve-dimensional partial search of the database partitioned into three blocks with superconducting quantum interference devices （SQUIDs） in cavity QED. Through the appropriate modulation of the amplitudes of the microwave pulses, the scheme can overcome the non-identity of the cavity-SQUID coupling strengths due to the parameter variations resulting from the fabrication processes. Numerical simulation under the influence of the cavity and SQUID decays shows that the scheme could be achieved efficiently within current state-of-the-art technology.

True Random Number Generator Realized by Extracting Entropy from a Negative-Inductance Superconducting Quantum Interference Device

A new type of superconductive true random number generator (TRNG) based on a negative-inductance superconducting quantum interference device (nSQUID) is proposed. The entropy harnessed to generate random numbers comes from the phenomenon of symmetry breaking in the nSQUID. The experimental circuit is fabricated by the Nb-based lift-off process. Low-temperature tests of the circuit verify the basic function of the proposed TRNG. The frequency characteristics of the TRNG have been analyzed by simulation. The generation rate of random numbers is expected to achieve hundreds of megahertz to tens of gigahertz.

Quantum Entanglement of Two Flux Qubits Induced by an Auxiliary SQUID

We revisit a theoretical scheme to create quantum entanglement of two three-level superconducting quantuminterference devices (SQUIDs) with the help of an auxiliary SQUID.In this scenario,two three-level systems are coupledto a quantized cavity field and a classical external field and thus form dark states.The quantum entanglement can beproduced by a quantum measurement on the auxiliary SQUID.Our investigation emphasizes the quantum effect of theauxiliary SQUID.For the experimental feasibility and accessibility of the scheme,we calculate the time evolution of thewhole system including the auxiliary SQUID.To ensure the efficiency of generating quantum entanglement,relationsbetween the measurement time and dominate parameters of the system are analyzed according to detailed calculations.

Increasing linear flux range of SQUID amplifier using self-feedback effect

Superconducting quantum interference devices(SQUIDs) are low-noise amplifiers that are essential for the readouts of translation edge sensors(TESs). The linear flux range is an important parameter for SQUID amplifiers, especially those controlled by high-bandwidth digital flux-locked-loop circuits. A large linear flux range conduces to accurately measuring the input signal and also increasing the multiplexing factor in the time-division multiplexed(TDM) readout scheme of the TES array. In this work, we report that the linear flux range of an SQUID can be improved by using self-feedback effect. When the SQUID loop is designed to be asymmetric, a voltage-biased SQUID shows an asymmetric current–flux(I–Φ) response curve. The linear flux range is improved along the I–Φ curve with a shallow slope. The experimental results accord well with the numerical simulations. The asymmetric SQUID will be able to serve as a building block in the development of the TDM readout systems for large TES arrays.

Multiplexing technology based on SQUID for readout of superconducting transition-edge sensor arrays

Multiplexing technologies based on superconducting quantum interference devices(SQUIDs) are crucial to cryogenic readout of superconducting transition-edge sensor(TES) arrays. Demands for large-scale TES arrays promote the development of multiplexing technologies towards large multiplexing factors and low readout noise. The development of multiplexing technologies also facilitates new applications of TES arrays in a wide range of frequencies. Here we summarize different types of SQUID-based multiplexing technologies including time-division multiplexing, code-division multiplexing, frequency-division multiplexing and microwave SQUID multiplexing. The advances and parameter constraints of each multiplexing technology are also discussed.

Study on signal intensity of low field nuclear magnetic resonance via an indirect coupling measurement

We carry out an ultra-low-field nuclear magnetic resonance （NMR） experiment based on high-T c superconducting quantum interference devices （SQUIDs）. The measurement field is in a micro-tesla range （～10 μT-100 μT） and the experiment is conducted in a home-made magnetically-shielded-room （MSR）. The measurements are performed by the indirect coupling method in which the signal of nuclei precession is indirectly coupled to the SQUID through a tuned copper coil transformer. In such an arrangement, the interferences of applied measurement and polarization field to the SQUID sensor are avoided and the performance of the SQUID is not destroyed. In order to compare the detection sensitivity obtained by using the SQUID with that achieved using a conventional low-noise-amplifier, we perform the measurements using a commercial room temperature amplifier. The results show that in a wide frequency range （～1 kHz-10 kHz） the measurements with the SQUID sensor exhibit a higher signal-to-noise ratio. Further, we discuss the dependence of NMR peak magnitude on measurement frequency. We attribute the reduction of the peak magnitude at high frequency to the increased field inhomogeneity as the measurement field increases. This is verified by compensating the field gradient using three sets of gradient coils.

A simple scheme to generate χ-type four-charge entangled states in circuit QED

We propose a simple scheme to generate x-type four-charge entangled states by using SQUID-based charge qubits capacitively coupled to a transmission line resonator （TLR）. The coupling between the superconducting qubit and the TLR can be effectively controlled by properly adjusting the control parameters of the charge qubit. The experimental feasibility of our scheme is also shown.

Fabrication and properties of high performance YBa_2Cu_3O_(7-δ) radio frequency SQUIDs with step-edge Josephson junctions

We describe the fabrication of high performance YBa2Cu3O7-δ （YBCO） radio frequency （RF） superconducting quantum interference devices （SQUIDs）, which were prepared on 5 mm×5 mm LaAlO3 （LAO） substrates by employing stepedge junctions （SEJs） and in flip-chip configuration with 12 mm×12 mm resonators. The step in the substrate was produced by Ar ion etching with step angles ranging from 47° to 61°, which is steep enough to ensure the formation of grain boundaries （GBs） at the step edges. The YBCO film was deposited using the pulsed laser deposition （PLD） technique with a film thickness half of the height of the substrate step. The inductance of the SQUID washer was designed to be about 157 pH. Under these circumstances, high performance YBCO RF SQUIDs were successfully fabricated with a typical flux-voltage transfer ratio of 83 mV/φ0, a white flux noise of 29 μφ0/√Hz, and the magnetic field sensitivity as high as 80 fT/√Hz. These devices have been applied in magnetocardiography and geological surveys.

An experimental scheme to verify the dynamics of the Aharonov-Bohm effect

There are two different viewpoints on the Aharonov-Bohm （A-B） effect. One asserts that the A-B effect is due to the existence of the vector potential A. The other asserts that the A-B effect is due to the interaction energy between the magnetic field produced by the moving charges and the magnetic field in the solenoid. The difference of these two viewpoints is analyzed in this paper. To judge which viewpoint is right, this paper suggests a new experimental method.

Frequency-tunable transmon in a three-dimensional copper cavity

We have realized a frequency-tunable transmon in a three-dimensional cooper cavity using a direct current supercon- ducting quantum interference device. Both the transition frequency of the transmon and the frequency of the dressed cavity can be varied with the applied external flux bias, which are well consistent with the theoretical model. The range of the variable transition frequency is from 5.188 GHz to 7.756 GHz. The energy relaxation time of the transmon is hundreds of nanoseconds.

Performance study of aluminum shielded room for ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging based on SQUID： Simulations and experiments

The aluminum shielded room has been an important part of ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging （ULF MRI） based on the superconducting quantum interference device （SQUID）. The shielded room is effective to attenuate the external radio-frequency field and keep the extremely sensitive detector, SQUID, working properly. A high-performance shielded room can increase the signal-to-noise ratio （SNR） and improve image quality. In this study, a circular coil with a diameter of 50 cm and a square coil with a side length of 2.0 m was used to simulate the magnetic fields from the nearby electric apparatuses and the distant environmental noise sources. The shielding effectivenesses （SE） of the shielded room with different thicknesses of aluminum sheets were calculated and simulated. A room using 6-mm-thick aluminum plates with a dimension of 1.5 m x 1.5 m x 2.0 m was then constructed. The SE was experimentally measured by using three-axis SQUID magnetometers, with tranisent magnetic field induced in the aluminum plates by the strong pre-polarization pulses. The results of the measured SE agreed with that from the simulation. In addition, the introduction of a 0.5-mm gap caused the obvious reduction of SE indicating the importance of door design. The nuclear magnetic resonance （NMR） signals of water at 5.9 kHz were measured in free space and in a shielded room, and the SNR was improved from 3 to 15. The simulation and experimental results will help us design an aluminum shielded room which satisfies the requirements for future ULF human brain imaging. Finally, the cancellation technique of the transient eddy current was tried, the simulation of the cancellation technique will lead us to finding an appropriate way to suppress the eddy current fields.

Optimization of pick-up coils for weakly damped SQUID gradiometers

The performance of a superconducting quantum interference device（SQUID） gradiometer is always determined by its pick-up coil geometry, such as baseline and radius. In this paper, based on the expressions for the coupled flux threading a magnetometer obtained by Wikswo, we studied how the gradiometer performance parameters, including the current dipole sensitivity, spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio（SNR）, are affected by its pick-up coil via Mat Lab simulation.Depending on the simulation results, the optimal pick-up coil design region for a certain gradiometer can be obtained.To verify the simulation results, we designed and fabricated several first-order gradiometers based on the weakly damped SQUID with different pick-up coils by applying superconducting connection. The experimental measurements were conducted on a simple current dipole in a magnetically shielding room. The measurement results are well in coincidence with the simulation ones, indicating that the simulation model is useful in specific pick-up coil design.

Macroscopic resonant tunneling in an rf-SQUID flux qubit under a single-cycle sinusoidal driving

We experimentally demonstrate the observation of macroscopic resonant tunneling（MRT） phenomenon of the macroscopic distinct flux states in a radio frequency superconducting quantum interference device（rf-SQUID） under a singlecycle sinusoidal driving.The population of the qubit exhibits interference patterns corresponding to resonant tunneling peaks between states in the adjacent potential wells.The dynamics of the qubit depends significantly on the amplitude,frequency,and initial phase of the driving signal.We do the numerical simulations considering the intra-well and interwell relaxation mechanism,which agree well with the experimental results.This approach provides an effective way to manipulate the qubit population by adjusting the parameters of the external driving field.

Modulation depth of series SQUIDs modified by Josephson junction area

The superconducting quantum interference device（SQUID） amplifier is widely used in the field of weak signal detection for its low input impedance, low noise, and low power consumption. In this paper, the SQUIDs with identical junctions and the series SQUIDs with different junctions were successfully fabricated. The Nb/Al-AlOx/Nb trilayer and input Nb coils were prepared by asputtering equipment. The SQUID devices were prepared by a sputtering and the lift-off method.Investigations by AFM, OM and SEM revealed the morphology and roughness of the Nb films and Nb/Al-AlOx/Nb trilayer.In addition, the current–voltage characteristics of the SQUID devices with identical junction and different junction areas were measured at 2.5 K in the He^3 refrigerator. The results show that the SQUID modulation depth is obviously affected by the junction area. The modulation depth obviously increases with the increase of the junction area in a certain range. It is found that the series SQUID with identical junction area has a transimpedance gain of 58 Ω approximately.

Nonlinear dynamics study of an open resonant Λ-type system

A way resulting in lasing without inversion （LWI） in an open resonant A-type system from a nonlinear dynamics viewpoint is investigated. The destabilization of the non-lasing solution can occur not only through pitchfork bifurcation, giving rise to continuous wave LWI, but also through Hopf bifurcation, giving rise to self-pulsing LWI. This is much different from that of the corresponding closed resonant A-type system in which the destabilization of the non-lasing solution can occur only through pitchfork bifurcation. The effects of the unsaturated gain coefficient, cavity loss coefficient, atomic injection and exit rates on the two bifurcations are discussed.

A possible interplay between electron beams and magnetic fluxes in the Aharonov-Bohm effect

Most studies on the magnetic Aharonov-Bohm （A-B） effect focus on the action exerted by the magnetic flux on the electron beam, but neglect the back-action exerted by the electron beam on the magnetic flux. This paper focuses on the latter, which is the electromotive force △U across the solenoid induced by the time-dependent magnetic field of the electron beam. Based on the backaction analysis, we observe that the magnetic A-B effect arises owing to the interaction energy between the magnetic field of the electron beam and the magnetic field of the solenoid. We also demonstrate that the interpretation attributing the magnetic A-B effect to the vector potential violates the uncertainty principle.