arXiv subjects

G. A. Peterson

Publications and source records attributed to G. A. Peterson.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

Efficient qubit measurement with a nonreciprocal microwave amplifier

The act of observing a quantum object fundamentally perturbs its state, resulting in a random walk toward an eigenstate of the measurement operator. Ideally, the measurement is responsible for all dephasing of the quantum state. In practice, imperfections in the measurement apparatus limit or corrupt the flow of information required for quantum feedback protocols, an effect quantified by the measurement efficiency. Here we demonstrate the efficient measurement of a superconducting qubit using a nonreciprocal parametric amplifier to directly monitor the microwave field of a readout cavity. By mitigating the losses between the cavity and the amplifier we achieve a measurement efficiency of $72\%$. The directionality of the amplifier protects the readout cavity and qubit from excess backaction caused by amplified vacuum fluctuations. In addition to providing tools for further improving the fidelity of strong projective measurement, this work creates a testbed for the experimental study of ideal weak measurements, and it opens the way towards quantum feedback protocols based on weak measurement such as state stabilization or error correction.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Microwave measurement beyond the quantum limit with a nonreciprocal amplifier

The measurement of a quantum system is often performed by encoding its state in a single observable of a light field. The measurement efficiency of this observable can be reduced by loss or excess noise on the way to the detector. Even a \textit{quantum-limited} detector that simultaneously measures a second non-commuting observable would double the output noise, therefore limiting the efficiency to $50\%$. At microwave frequencies, an ideal measurement efficiency can be achieved by noiselessly amplifying the information-carrying quadrature of the light field, but this has remained an experimental challenge. Indeed, while state-of-the-art Josephson-junction based parametric amplifiers can perform an ideal single-quadrature measurement, they require lossy ferrite circulators in the signal path, drastically decreasing the overall efficiency. In this paper, we present a nonreciprocal parametric amplifier that combines single-quadrature measurement and directionality without the use of strong external magnetic fields. We extract a measurement efficiency of $62_{-9}^{+17} \%$ that exceeds the quantum limit and that is not limited by fundamental factors. The amplifier can be readily integrated with superconducting devices, creating a path for ideal measurements of quantum bits and mechanical oscillators.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Ultrastrong parametric coupling between a superconducting cavity and a mechanical resonator

We present a new optomechanical device where the motion of a micromechanical membrane couples to a microwave resonance of a three-dimensional superconducting cavity. With this architecture, we realize ultrastrong parametric coupling, where the coupling rate not only exceeds the dissipation rates in the system but also rivals the mechanical frequency itself. In this regime, the optomechanical interaction induces a frequency splitting between the hybridized normal modes that reaches 88% of the bare mechanical frequency, limited by the fundamental parametric instability. The coupling also exceeds the mechanical thermal decoherence rate, enabling new applications in ultrafast quantum state transfer and entanglement generation.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Demonstration of efficient nonreciprocity in a microwave optomechanical circuit

The ability to engineer nonreciprocal interactions is an essential tool in modern communication technology as well as a powerful resource for building quantum networks. Aside from large reverse isolation, a nonreciprocal device suitable for applications must also have high efficiency (low insertion loss) and low output noise. Recent theoretical and experimental studies have shown that nonreciprocal behavior can be achieved in optomechanical systems, but performance in these last two attributes has been limited. Here we demonstrate an efficient, frequency-converting microwave isolator based on the optomechanical interactions between electromagnetic fields and a mechanically compliant vacuum gap capacitor. We achieve simultaneous reverse isolation of more than 20 dB and insertion loss less than 1.5 dB over a bandwidth of 5 kHz. We characterize the nonreciprocal noise performance of the device, observing that the residual thermal noise from the mechanical environments is routed solely to the input of the isolator. Our measurements show quantitative agreement with a general coupled-mode theory. Unlike conventional isolators and circulators, these compact nonreciprocal devices do not require a static magnetic field, and they allow for dynamic control of the direction of isolation. With these advantages, similar devices could enable programmable, high-efficiency connections between disparate nodes of quantum networks, even efficiently bridging the microwave and optical domains.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Nonreciprocal microwave signal processing with a Field-Programmable Josephson Amplifier

We report on the design and implementation of a Field Programmable Josephson Amplifier (FPJA) - a compact and lossless superconducting circuit that can be programmed \textit{in situ} by a set of microwave drives to perform reciprocal and nonreciprocal frequency conversion and amplification. In this work we demonstrate four modes of operation: frequency conversion ($-0.5~\mathrm{dB}$ transmission, $-30~\mathrm{dB}$ reflection), circulation ($-0.5~\mathrm{dB}$ transmission, $-30~\mathrm{dB}$ reflection, $30~\mathrm{dB}$ isolation), phase-preserving amplification (gain $>20~\mathrm{dB}$, $1~\mathrm{photon}$ of added noise) and directional phase-preserving amplification ($-10~\mathrm{dB}$ reflection, $18~\mathrm{dB}$ forward gain, $8~\mathrm{dB}$ reverse isolation, $1~\mathrm{photon}$ of added noise). The system exhibits quantitative agreement with theoretical prediction. Based on a gradiometric Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) with Nb/Al-AlO$_x$/Nb Josephson junctions, the FPJA is first-order insensitive to flux noise and can be operated without magnetic shielding at low temperature. Due to its flexible design and compatibility with existing superconducting fabrication techniques, the FPJA offers a straightforward route toward on-chip integration with superconducting quantum circuits such as qubits or microwave optomechanical systems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2005

Flux profile scanners for scattered high-energy electrons

The paper describes the design and performance of flux integrating Cherenkov scanners with air-core reflecting light guides used in a high-energy, high-flux electron scattering experiment at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. The scanners were highly radiation resistant and provided a good signal to background ratio leading to very good spatial resolution of the scattered electron flux profile scans.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2003

Threshold Electrodisintegration of ^3He

Cross sections were measured for the near-threshold electrodisintegration of ^3He at momentum transfer values of q=2.4, 4.4, and 4.7 fm^{-1}. From these and prior measurements the transverse and longitudinal response functions R_T and R_L were deduced. Comparisons are made against previously published and new non-relativistic A=3 calculations using the best available NN potentials. In general, for q<2 fm^{-1} these calculations accurately predict the threshold electrodisintegration of ^3He. Agreement at increasing q demands consideration of two-body terms, but discrepancies still appear at the highest momentum transfers probed, perhaps due to the neglect of relativistic dynamics, or to the underestimation of high-momentum wave-function components.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2002

A Search for Neutral Baryon Resonances Below Pion Threshold

The reaction p(e,e^{prime}pi^+)X^0 was studied with two high resolution magnetic spectrometers to search for narrow baryon resonances. A missing mass resolution of 2.0 MeV was achieved. A search for structures in the mass region of 0.97 < M_{X^0} < 1.06 GeV yielded no significant signal. The yield ratio of p(e,e^{prime}pi^+)X^0/p(e,e^{prime}pi^+)n was determined to be (-0.35 +/- 0.35) times 10^{-3} at 1.004 GeV and (0.34 +/- 0.42) times 10^{-3} at 1.044 GeV.

nucl-ex↗