arXiv subjects

M. Weides

Publications and source records attributed to M. Weides.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

Antiferromagnetic cavity magnon polaritons in collinear and canted phases of hematite

Cavity spintronics explores light matter interactions at the interface between spintronic and quantum phenomena. Until now, studies have focused on the hybridization between ferromagnets and cavity photons.In this article, we realize antiferromagnetic cavity-magnon polaritons. The collective spin motion in single hematite crystals ({\alpha}-Fe2O3) hybridizes with 18 - 45 GHz microwave cavity photons with required specific symmetries. We show theoretically and experimentally that the photon-magnon coupling in the collinear phase is mediated by the dynamical Neel vector and the weak magnetic moment in the canted phase by measuring across the Morin transition. The coupling strength g is shown to scale with the anisotropy field in the collinear phase and with the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya field in the canted phase. We achieve a strong coupling regime both in canted (C > 25 at 300 K) and noncolinear phases (C > 4 at 150 K) and thus coherent information exchange with antiferromagnets These results evidence a generic strategy to achieve cavity-magnon polaritons in antiferromagnets for different symmetries, opening the field of cavity spintronics to antiferromagnetic materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Quantum sensing with superconducting circuits

Sensing and metrology play an important role in fundamental science and applications, by fulfilling the ever-present need for more precise data sets, and by allowing to make more reliable conclusions on the validity of theoretical models. Sensors are ubiquitous, they are used in applications across a diverse range of fields including gravity imaging, geology, navigation, security, timekeeping, spectroscopy, chemistry, magnetometry, healthcare, and medicine. Current progress in quantum technologies inevitably triggers the exploration of quantum systems to be used as sensors with new and improved capabilities. This perspective initially provides a brief review of existing and tested quantum sensing systems, before discussing future possible directions of superconducting quantum circuits use for sensing and metrology: superconducting sensors including many entangled qubits and schemes employing Quantum Error Correction. The perspective also lists future research directions that could be of great value beyond quantum sensing, e.g. for applications in quantum computation and simulation.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Quantum computing hardware in the cloud: Should a computational chemist care?

Within the last decade much progress has been made in the experimental realisation of quantum computing hardware based on a variety of physical systems. Rapid progress has been fuelled by the conviction that sufficiently powerful quantum machines will herald enormous computational advantages in many fields, including chemical research. A quantum computer capable of simulating the electronic structures of complex molecules would be a game changer for the design of new drugs and materials. Given the potential implications of this technology, there is a need within the chemistry community to keep abreast with the latest developments as well as becoming involved in experimentation with quantum prototypes. To facilitate this, here we review the types of quantum computing hardware that have been made available to the public through cloud services. We focus on three architectures, namely superconductors, trapped ions and semiconductors. For each one we summarise the basic physical operations, requirements and performance. We discuss to what extent each system has been used for molecular chemistry problems and highlight the most pressing hardware issues to be solved for a chemistry-relevant quantum advantage to eventually emerge.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Ultra-strong photon-to-magnon coupling in multilayered heterostructures involving superconducting coherence via ferromagnetic layers

The critical step for future quantum industry demands realization of efficient information exchange between different-platform hybrid systems, including photonic and magnonic systems, that can harvest advantages of distinct platforms. The major restraining factor for the progress in certain hybrid systems is the fundamentally weak coupling parameter between the elemental particles. This restriction impedes the entire field of hybrid magnonics by making realization of scalable on-chip hybrid magnonic systems unattainable. In this work, we propose a general flexible approach for realization of on-chip hybrid magnonic systems with unprecedentedly strong coupling parameters. The approach is based on multilayered micro-structures containing superconducting, insulating and ferromagnetic layers with modified both photon phase velocities and magnon eigen-frequencies. Phenomenologically, the enhanced coupling strength is provided by the radically reduced photon mode volume. The microscopic mechanism of the phonon-to-magnon coupling in studied systems evidences formation of the long-range superconducting coherence via thick strong ferromagnetic layers. This coherence is manifested by coherent superconducting screening of microwave fields by the superconductor/ferromagnet/superconductor three-layers in presence of magnetization precession. This discovery offers new opportunities in microwave superconducting spintronics for quantum technologies.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

Structural and Nanochemical Properties of AlOx Layers in $Al/AlO_x/Al$-Layer Systems for Josephson Junctions

The structural and nanochemical properties of thin $AlO_x$ layers are decisive for the performance of advanced electronic devices. For example, they are frequently used as tunnel barriers in Josephson junction-based superconducting devices. However, systematic studies of the influence of oxidation parameters on structural and nanochemical properties are rare up to now, as most studies focus on the electrical properties of $AlO_x$ layers. This study aims to close this gap by applying transmission electron microscopy in combination with electron energy loss spectroscopy to analyze the structural and nanochemical properties of differently fabricated $AlO_x$ layers and correlate them with fabrication parameters. With respect to the application of $AlO_x$ as tunnel barrier in superconducting Josephson junctions, $Al/AlO_x/Al$-layer systems were deposited on Si substrates. We will show that the oxygen content and structure of amorphous $AlO_x$ layers is strongly dependent on the fabrication process and oxidation parameters. Dynamic and static oxidation of Al yields oxygen-deficient amorphous $AlO_x$ layers, where the oxygen content ranges from x = 0.5 to x = 1.3 depending on oxygen pressure and substrate temperature. Thicker layers of stoichiometric crystalline $\gamma-Al_2O_3$ layers were grown by electron-beam evaporation of $Al_2O_3$ and reactive sputter deposition.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Interplay of magnetization dynamics with microwave waveguide at cryogenic temperatures

In this work, magnetization dynamics is studied at low temperatures in a hybrid system that consists of thin epitaxial magnetic film coupled with superconducting planar microwave waveguide. The resonance spectrum was observed in a wide magnetic field range, including low fields below the saturation magnetization and both polarities. Analysis of the spectrum via a developed fitting routine allowed to derive all magnetic parameters of the film at cryogenic temperatures, to detect waveguide-induced uniaxial magnetic anisotropies of the first and the second order, and to uncover a minor misalignment of magnetic field. A substantial influence of the superconducting critical state on resonance spectrum is observed and discussed.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2019

Optimization of $Al/AlO_x/Al$-Layer Systems for Josephson Junctions from a Microstructure Point of View

$Al/AlO_x/Al$-layer systems are frequently used for Josephson junction-based superconducting devices. Although much work has been devoted to the optimization of the superconducting properties of these devices, systematic studies on influence of deposition conditions combined with structural analyses on the nanoscale are rare up to now. We have focused on the optimization of the structural properties of $Al/AlO_x/Al$-layer systems deposited on Si(111) substrates with a particular focus on the thickness homogeneity of the $AlO_x$-tunnel barrier. A standard high-vacuum electron-beam deposition system was used and the effect of substrate pretreatment, different Al-deposition temperatures and Al-deposition rates was studied. Transmission electron microscopy was applied to analyze the structural properties of the $Al/AlO_x/Al$-layer systems to determine the thickness homogeneity of the $AlO_x$ layer, grain size distribution in the Al layers, Al-grain boundary types and the morphology of the $Al/AlO_x$ interface. We show that the structural properties of the lower Al layer are decisive for the structural quality of the whole $Al/AlO_x/Al$-layer system. Optimum conditions yield an epitaxial Al(111) layer on a Si(111) substrate with an Al-layer thickness variation of only 1.6 nm over more than 10 $\mu m$ and large lateral grain sizes up to 1 $\mu m$. Thickness fluctuations of the $AlO_x$-tunnel barrier are minimized on such an Al layer which is essential for the homogeneity of the tunnel current. Systematic variation of the Al-deposition rate and deposition temperature allows to develop an understanding of the growth mechanisms.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2017

Correlating the nanostructure of Al-oxide with deposition conditions and dielectric contributions of two-level systems in perspective of superconducting quantum circuits

This work is concerned with Al/Al-oxide(AlO$_{x}$)/Al-layer systems which are important for Josephson-junction-based superconducting devices such as quantum bits. The device performance is limited by noise, which has been to a large degree assigned to the presence and properties of two-level tunneling systems in the amorphous AlO$_{x}$ tunnel barrier. The study is focused on the correlation of the fabrication conditions, nanostructural and nanochemical properties and the occurrence of two-level tunneling systems with particular emphasis on the AlO$_{x}$-layer. Electron-beam evaporation with two different processes and sputter deposition were used for structure fabrication, and the effect of illumination by ultraviolet light during Al-oxide formation is elucidated. Characterization was performed by analytical transmission electron microscopy and low-temperature dielectric measurements. We show that the fabrication conditions have a strong impact on the nanostructural and nanochemical properties of the layer systems and the properties of two-level tunneling systems. Based on the understanding of the observed structural characteristics, routes are derived towards the fabrication of Al/AlO$_{x}$/Al-layers systems with improved properties.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Tunable $\varphi$ Josephson Junction ratchet

We demonstrate experimentally the operation of a deterministic Josephson ratchet with tunable asymmetry. The ratchet is based on a $\varphi$ Josephson junction with a ferromagnetic barrier operating in the underdamped regime. The system is probed also under the action of an additional dc current, which acts as a counter force trying to stop the ratchet. Under these conditions the ratchet works against the counter force, thus producing a non-zero output power. Finally, we estimate the efficiency of the $\varphi$ Josephson junction ratchet.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2014

Efficient and robust analysis of complex scattering data under noise in microwave resonators

Superconducting microwave resonators are reliable circuits widely used for detection and as test devices for material research. A reliable determination of their external and internal quality factors is crucial for many modern applications, which either require fast measurements or operate in the single photon regime with small signal to noise ratios. Here, we use the circle fit technique with diameter correction and provide a step by step guide for implementing an algorithm for robust fitting and calibration of complex resonator scattering data in the presence of noise. The speedup and robustness of the analysis are achieved by employing an algebraic rather than an iterative fit technique for the resonance circle.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2013

The effect of normal metal layers in ferromagnetic Josephson junctions

Using the Usadel equation approach, we provide a compact formalism to calculate the critical current density of 21 different types of ferromagnetic (F) Josephson junctions containing insulating (I) and normal metal (N) layers in the weak link regions. In particular, we obtain that even a thin additional N layer may shift the 0-$\pi$ transitions to larger or smaller values of the thickness $d_F$ of the ferromagnet, depending on its conducting properties. For certain values of $d_F$, a 0-$\pi$ transition can even be achieved by changing only the N layer thickness. We use our model to fit experimental data of SIFS and SINFS tunnel junctions, where S is a superconducting electrode.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2013

Memory cell based on a $φ$ Josephson junction

The $φ$ Josephson junction has a doubly degenerate ground state with the Josephson phases $\pmφ$. We demonstrate the use of such a $φ$ Josephson junction as a memory cell (classical bit), where writing is done by applying a magnetic field and reading by applying a bias current. In the "store" state, the junction does not require any bias or magnetic field, but just needs to stay cooled for permanent storage of the logical bit. Straightforward integration with Rapid Single Flux Quantum logic is possible.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2012

Experimental evidence of a ϕ Josephson junction

We demonstrate experimentally the existence of Josephson junctions having a doubly degenerate ground state with an average Josephson phase ψ=\pmϕ. The value of ϕ can be chosen by design in the interval 0<ϕ<π. The junctions used in our experiments are fabricated as 0-π Josephson junctions of moderate normalized length with asymmetric 0 and π regions. We show that (a) these ϕ Josephson junctions have two critical currents, corresponding to the escape of the phase ψ from -ϕ and +ϕ states; (b) the phase ψ can be set to a particular state by tuning an external magnetic field or (c) by using a proper bias current sweep sequence. The experimental observations are in agreement with previous theoretical predictions.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2011

Dynamic quantum Kerr effect in circuit quantum electrodynamics

A superconducting qubit coupled to a microwave resonator provides a controllable system that enables fundamental studies of light-matter interactions. In the dispersive regime, photons in the resonator exhibit induced frequency and phase shifts which are revealed in the resonator transmission spectrum measured with fixed qubit-resonator detuning. In this static detuning scheme, the phase shift is measured in the far-detuned, linear dispersion regime to avoid measurement-induced demolition of the qubit quantum state. Here we explore the qubit-resonator dispersive interaction over a much broader range of detunings, by using a dynamic procedure where the qubit transition is driven adiabatically. We use resonator Wigner tomography to monitor the interaction, revealing exotic non-linear effects on different photon states, e.g., Fock states, coherent states, and Schrodinger cat states, thereby demonstrating a quantum Kerr effect in the dynamic framework.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2011

Implementing the Quantum von Neumann Architecture with Superconducting Circuits

The von Neumann architecture for a classical computer comprises a central processing unit and a memory holding instructions and data. We demonstrate a quantum central processing unit that exchanges data with a quantum random-access memory integrated on a chip, with instructions stored on a classical computer. We test our quantum machine by executing codes that involve seven quantum elements: Two superconducting qubits coupled through a quantum bus, two quantum memories, and two zeroing registers. Two vital algorithms for quantum computing are demonstrated, the quantum Fourier transform, with 66% process fidelity, and the three-qubit Toffoli OR phase gate, with 98% phase fidelity. Our results, in combination especially with longer qubit coherence, illustrate a potentially viable approach to factoring numbers and implementing simple quantum error correction codes.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2011

Photon shell game in three-resonator circuit quantum electrodynamics

The generation and control of quantum states of light constitute fundamental tasks in cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED). The superconducting realization of cavity QED, circuit QED, enables on-chip microwave photonics, where superconducting qubits control and measure individual photon states. A long-standing issue in cavity QED is the coherent transfer of photons between two or more resonators. Here, we use circuit QED to implement a three-resonator architecture on a single chip, where the resonators are interconnected by two superconducting phase qubits. We use this circuit to shuffle one- and two-photon Fock states between the three resonators, and demonstrate qubit-mediated vacuum Rabi swaps between two resonators. This illustrates the potential for using multi-resonator circuits as photon quantum registries and for creating multipartite entanglement between delocalized bosonic modes.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2011

Phase qubits fabricated with trilayer junctions

We have developed a novel Josephson junction geometry with minimal volume of lossy isolation dielectric, being suitable for higher quality trilayer junctions implemented in qubits. The junctions are based on in-situ deposited trilayers with thermal tunnel oxide, have micron-sized areas and a low subgap current. In qubit spectroscopy only a few avoided level crossings are observed, and the measured relaxation time of $T_1\approx400\;\rm{nsec}$ is in good agreement with the usual phase qubit decay time, indicating low loss due to the additional isolation dielectric.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2011

Energy decay and frequency shift of a superconducting qubit from non-equilibrium quasiparticles

Quasiparticles are an important decoherence mechanism in superconducting qubits, and can be described with a complex admittance that is a generalization of the Mattis-Bardeen theory. By injecting non-equilibrium quasiparticles with a tunnel junction, we verify qualitatively the expected change of the decay rate and frequency in a phase qubit. With their relative change in agreement to within 4% of prediction, the theory can be reliably used to infer quasiparticle density. We describe how settling of the decay rate may allow determination of whether qubit energy relaxation is limited by non-equilibrium quasiparticles.

cond-mat.supr-con↗