arXiv subjects

Boris Mesits

Publications and source records attributed to Boris Mesits.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

High-fidelity Quantum Readout Processing via an Embedded SNAIL Amplifier

Scalable, high-fidelity quantum-state readout remains a central challenge in the development of large-scale superconducting quantum processors. Conventional dispersive readout architectures depend on bulky isolators and external amplifiers, introducing significant hardware overhead and limiting opportunities for on-chip information processing. In this work, we propose a novel approach that embeds a nonlinear Superconducting Nonlinear Asymmetric Inductive eLement (SNAIL) into the readout chain, enabling coherent and directional processing of readout signals directly on-chip. This embedded SNAIL platform allows frequency-multiplexed resonators to interact through engineered couplings, forming a tunable readout-amplifier-output architecture that can manipulate quantum readout data \textit{in situ}. Through theoretical modeling and numerical optimization, we show that this platform enhances fidelity, suppresses measurement-induced decoherence, and simplifies hardware complexity. These results establish the hybridized SNAIL as a promising building block for scalable and coherent quantum-state readout in next-generation processors.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

An Eclipse-Ballooning Study of Shadow Bands During the April 2024 Total Eclipse

In this study we searched for shadow bands associated with the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024. Our aim was to improve our understanding of their origin. Shadow bands are debated to arise either from atmospheric turbulence within Earth's planetary boundary layer (PBL) or from a diffraction-interference effect occurring above the atmosphere. To test these theories, high altitude balloons (HABs) equipped with light sensors, similar ground light sensors, radiosondes launched with weather balloons, and an aircraft-mounted light sensor were deployed. Our team was located in Concan, TX, except for the plane which flew to NE Vermont to find clear weather. Unlike Pitt's 2017 HAB study, which detected a 4.5 Hz signal attributed to shadow bands above the PBL and on the ground, no shadow bands were detected above the PBL in Texas or in northeast Vermont, despite the use of improved instrumentation. Cloud cover prevented useful ground based measurements in Texas, limiting our conclusions about the nature of shadow bands. These findings suggest that shadow bands may not always be present or, if they are, may be primarily due to atmospheric turbulence. The results of this study and Pitt's 2017 study emphasize the need for future work.

physics.ao-ph↗

arXiv2026

Single-shot Quantum State Classification via Nonlinear Quantum Amplification

Quantum amplifiers are intrinsically nonlinear systems whose performance limits are set by quantum mechanics. In quantum measurement, amplifier operation is conventionally optimized in the linear regime by maximizing signal-to-noise ratio, an objective that is well-suited to parameter estimation but is typically insufficient for more general tasks such as arbitrary quantum state discrimination. Here we show that single-shot quantum state classification can benefit from operating a quantum amplifier outside the linear regime, when the measurement chain is optimized end-to-end for a task-specific cost function. We analyze a realistic superconducting readout architecture that includes state preparation, cryogenic nonlinear amplification, and room-temperature detection with finite noise. By introducing performance metrics tailored to state discrimination, we identify operating regimes in which nonlinear amplification provides a measurable advantage and clarify the trade-offs that ultimately limit classification fidelity. Building on these results, we propose a qubit readout architecture without cavity displacement that exploits nonlinear amplification to enhance single-shot state discrimination performance. Our results establish the practical value of nonlinear quantum amplifiers for quantum state discrimination and lay the foundation for a broader program to develop a general, end-to-end framework for resource-constrained optimization of nonlinear amplification in quantum information processing tasks.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Electron spin dynamics guide cell motility

Diverse organisms exploit the geomagnetic field (GMF) for migration. Migrating birds employ an intrinsically quantum mechanical mechanism for detecting the geomagnetic field: absorption of a blue photon generates a radical pair whose two electrons precess at different rates in the magnetic field, thereby sensitizing cells to the direction of the GMF. In this work, using an in vitro injury model, we discovered a quantum-based mechanism of cellular migration. Specifically, we show that migrating cells detect the GMF via an optically activated, electron spin-based mechanism. Cell injury provokes acute emission of blue photons, and these photons sensitize muscle progenitor cells to the magnetic field. We show that the magnetosensitivity of muscle progenitor cells is (a) activated by blue light, but not by green or red light, and (b) disrupted by the application of an oscillatory field at the frequency corresponding to the energy of the electron-spin/magnetic field interaction. A comprehensive analysis of protein expression reveals that the ability of blue photons to promote cell motility is mediated by activation of calmodulin calcium sensors. Collectively, these data suggest that cells possess a light-dependent magnetic compass driven by electron spin dynamics.

physics.bio-ph↗

arXiv2024

Simple, High Saturation Power, Quantum-limited, RF SQUID Array-based Josephson Parametric Amplifiers

High-fidelity quantum non-demolition qubit measurement is critical to error correction and rapid qubit feedback in large-scale quantum computing. High-fidelity readout requires passing a short and strong pulse through the qubit's readout resonator, which is then processed by a sufficiently high bandwidth, high saturation power, and quantum-limited amplifier. We have developed a design pipeline that combines time-domain simulation of the un-truncated device Hamiltonian, fabrication constraints, and maximization of saturation power. We have realized an amplifier based on a modified NIST tri-layer Nb fabrication suite which utilizes an array of 25 radio frequency Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices (rf SQUIDs) embedded within a low-Q resonator powered by a high-power voltage pump delivered via a diplexer on the signal port. We show that, despite the intensity of the pump, the device is quantum-efficient and capable of high-fidelity measurement limited by state transitions in the transmon. We present experimental data demonstrating up to -91.2 dBm input saturation power with 20 dB gain, up to 28 MHz instantaneous bandwidth, and phase-preserving qubit measurements with 62% quantum efficiency.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Pump-efficient Josephson parametric amplifiers with high saturation power

Circuit QED based quantum information processing relies on low noise amplification for signal readout. In the realm of microwave superconducting circuits, this amplification is often achieved via Josephson parametric amplifiers (JPA). In the past, these amplifiers exhibited low power added efficiency (PAE), which is roughly the fraction of pump power that is converted to output signal power. This is increasingly relevant because recent attempts to build high saturation power amplifiers achieve this at the cost of very low PAE, which in turn puts a high heat load on the cryostat and limits the number of these devices that a dilution refrigerator can host. Here, we numerically investigate upper bounds on PAE. We focus on a class of parametric amplifiers that consists of a capacitor shunted by a nonlinear inductive block. We first set a benchmark for this class of amplifiers by considering nonlinear blocks described by an arbitrary polynomial current-phase relation. Next, we propose two circuit implementations of the nonlinear block. Finally, we investigate chaining polynomial amplifiers. We find that while amplifiers with higher gain have a lower PAE, regardless of the gain there is considerable room to improve as compared to state of the art devices. For example, for a phase-sensitive amplifier with a power gain of 20 dB, the PAE is ~0.1% for typical JPAs, 5.9% for our simpler circuit JPAs, 34% for our more complex circuit JPAs, 48% for our arbitrary polynomial amplifiers, and at least 95% for our chained amplifiers.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Practical Trainable Temporal Postprocessor for Multistate Quantum Measurement

We develop and demonstrate a trainable temporal post-processor (TPP) harnessing a simple but versatile machine learning algorithm to provide optimal processing of quantum measurement data subject to arbitrary noise processes, for the readout of an arbitrary number of quantum states. We demonstrate the TPP on the essential task of qubit state readout, which has historically relied on temporal processing via matched filters in spite of their applicability only for specific noise conditions. Our results show that the TPP can reliably outperform standard filtering approaches under complex readout conditions, such as high power readout. Using simulations of quantum measurement noise sources, we show that this advantage relies on the TPP's ability to learn optimal linear filters that account for general quantum noise correlations in data, such as those due to quantum jumps, or correlated noise added by a phase-preserving quantum amplifier. Furthermore, we derive an exact analytic form for the optimal TPP weights: this positions the TPP as a linearly-scaling generalization of matched filtering, valid for an arbitrary number of states under the most general readout noise conditions, all while preserving a training complexity that is essentially negligible in comparison to that of training neural networks for processing temporal quantum measurement data. The TPP can be autonomously and reliably trained on measurement data and requires only linear operations, making it ideal for FPGA implementations in cQED for real-time processing of measurement data from general quantum systems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Tunable ultrafast thermionic emission from femtosecond-laser hot spot on a metal surface: role of laser polarization and angle of incidence

Ultrafast laser induced thermionic emission from metal surfaces has several applications. Here, we investigate the role of laser polarization and angle of incidence on the ultrafast thermionic emission process from laser driven gold coated glass surface. The spatio-temporal evolution of electron and lattice temperatures are obtained using an improved three-dimensional (3D) two-temperature model (TTM) which takes into account the 3D laser pulse profile focused obliquely onto the surface. The associated thermionic emission features are described through modified Richardson-Dushman equation, including dynamic space charge effects and are included self-consistently in our numerical approach. We show that temperature dependent reflectivity influences laser energy absorption. The resulting peak electron temperature on the metal surface monotonically increases with angle of incidence for P polarization, while for S polarization it shows opposite trend. We observe that thermionic emission duration shows strong dependence on angle of incidence and contrasting polarization dependent behaviour. The duration of thermionic current shows strong correlation to the intrinsic electron-lattice thermalization time, in a fluence regime well below the damage threshold of gold. The observations and insights have important consequences in designing ultrafast thermionic emitters based on a metal based architecture.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2023

Fast superconducting qubit control with sub-harmonic drives

Increasing the fidelity of single-qubit gates requires a combination of faster pulses and increased qubit coherence. However, with resonant qubit drive via a capacitively coupled port, these two objectives are mutually contradictory, as higher qubit quality factor requires a weaker coupling, necessitating longer pulses for the same applied power. Increasing drive power, on the other hand, can heat the qubit's environment and degrade coherence. In this work, by using the inherent nonlinearity of the transmon qubit, we circumvent this issue by introducing a new parametric driving scheme to perform single-qubit control. We achieve rapid gate speed by pumping the transmon's native Kerr term at approximately one third of the qubit's resonant frequency. Given that transmons typically operate within a fairly narrow range of anharmonicity, this technique is applicable to all transmons. In both theory and experiment, we show that the Rabi rate of the process is proportional to applied drive amplitude cubed, allowing for rapid gate speed with only modest increases in applied power. In addition, we demonstrate that filtering can be used to protect the qubit's coherence while performing rapid gates, and present theoretical calculations indicating that decay due to multi-photon losses, even in very strongly coupled drive lines, will not limit qubit lifetime. We demonstrate single qubit gates as short as 37.4ns with fidelity as high as 99.91%. We also present calculations indicating that this technique could reduce cryostat heating for fast gates, a vital requirement for large-scale quantum computers.

quant-ph↗