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Nicholas Zobrist

Publications and source records attributed to Nicholas Zobrist.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Measurement-Induced State transitions in Inductively-Shunted Transmons

Fast and high-fidelity qubit measurement plays a key role in quantum error correction. In superconducting qubits, measurement is typically performed using a resonant microwave drive on a readout resonator dispersively coupled to the qubit. Shorter measurement times require larger numbers of photons populating the readout resonator, which ultimately leads to undesired measurementinduced state transitions (MIST) of the qubit. MIST can be particularly problematic because these transitions often leave the qubit in a high energy state, and the MIST locations in readout parameter space drift as a function of qubit offset charge. In transmon qubits, these drifts have been avoided using very large qubit-resonator detunings or dedicated offset charge biases. In this work, we take an alternative approach and add an inductive shunt to the transmon to eliminate the offset charge dependence and stabilize the MIST. We experimentally characterize MIST in several different inductively-shunted transmons, in agreement with quantum and semiclassical models for MIST. These results extend to other inductively-shunted qubits.

quant-ph

Demonstrating dynamic surface codes

A remarkable characteristic of quantum computing is the potential for reliable computation despite faulty qubits. This can be achieved through quantum error correction, which is typically implemented by repeatedly applying static syndrome checks, permitting correction of logical information. Recently, the development of time-dynamic approaches to error correction has uncovered new codes and new code implementations. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate three time-dynamic implementations of the surface code, each offering a unique solution to hardware design challenges and introducing flexibility in surface code realization. First, we embed the surface code on a hexagonal lattice, reducing the necessary couplings per qubit from four to three. Second, we walk a surface code, swapping the role of data and measure qubits each round, achieving error correction with built-in removal of accumulated non-computational errors. Finally, we realize the surface code using iSWAP gates instead of the traditional CNOT, extending the set of viable gates for error correction without additional overhead. We measure the error suppression factor when scaling from distance-3 to distance-5 codes of $\Lambda_{35,\text{hex}} = 2.15(2)$, $\Lambda_{35,\text{walk}} = 1.69(6)$, and $\Lambda_{35,\text{iSWAP}} = 1.56(2)$, achieving state-of-the-art error suppression for each. With detailed error budgeting, we explore their performance trade-offs and implications for hardware design. This work demonstrates that dynamic circuit approaches satisfy the demands for fault-tolerance and opens new alternative avenues for scalable hardware design.

quant-ph

MKIDGen3: Energy-Resolving, Single-Photon-Counting MKID Readout on an RFSoC

Building large, cryogenic MKID arrays requires processing highly-multiplexed, wideband readout signals in real time; a task that has previously required large, heavy, and power-intensive custom electronics. In this work, we present the third-generation UVOIR MKID readout system (Gen3) which is capable of reading out twice as many detectors with a fifth the weight and power and an order of magnitude less volume and cost-per-pixel as compared to the previous system. Gen3 leverages the Xilinx RFSoC4x2 platform to read out 2048, 1 MHz MKID channels per board. The system takes a modern approach to FPGA design using Vitis High-Level Synthesis (HLS) to specify signal processing blocks in C/C++, Vivado ML Intelligent Design Runs (IDR) to inform implementation stragety and close timing, and Python Productivity for ZYNQ (PYNQ) to simplify interacting with and programming the FPGA using Python. This design suite and tool flow allows general users to contribute to and maintain the design and positions Gen3 to rapidly migrate to future platforms as they become available. In this work, we describe the system requirements, design, and implementation. We also provide performance characterization details and show that the system achieves detector-limited resolving power in the case of few readout tones and minimal degradation with all 2048 tones. Planned upgrades and future work are also discussed. The Gen3 MKID readout system is fully open-source and is expected to facilitate future array scaling to megapixel-sized formats and increase the feasibility of deploying UVOIR MKIDs in space.

physics.ins-det

Resisting high-energy impact events through gap engineering in superconducting qubit arrays

Quantum error correction (QEC) provides a practical path to fault-tolerant quantum computing through scaling to large qubit numbers, assuming that physical errors are sufficiently uncorrelated in time and space. In superconducting qubit arrays, high-energy impact events produce correlated errors, violating this key assumption. Following such an event, phonons with energy above the superconducting gap propagate throughout the device substrate, which in turn generate a temporary surge in quasiparticle (QP) density throughout the array. When these QPs tunnel across the qubits' Josephson junctions, they induce correlated errors. Engineering different superconducting gaps across the qubit's Josephson junctions provides a method to resist this form of QP tunneling. By fabricating all-aluminum transmon qubits with both strong and weak gap engineering on the same substrate, we observe starkly different responses during high-energy impact events. Strongly gap engineered qubits do not show any degradation in T1 during impact events, while weakly gap engineered qubits show events of correlated degradation in T1. We also show that strongly gap engineered qubits are robust to QP poisoning from increasing optical illumination intensity, whereas weakly gap engineered qubits display rapid degradation in coherence. Based on these results, gap engineering removes the threat of high-energy impacts to QEC in superconducting qubit arrays.

quant-ph

Characterizing the Dark Count Rate of a Large-Format MKID Array

We present an empirical measurement of the dark count rate seen in a large-format MKID array identical to those currently in use at observatories such as Subaru on Maunakea. This work provides compelling evidence for their utility in future experiments that require low-count rate, quiet environments such as dark matter direct detection. Across the bandpass from 0.946-1.534 eV (1310-808 nm) an average count rate of $(1.847\pm0.003)\times10^{-3}$ photons/pixel/s is measured. Breaking this bandpass into 5 equal-energy bins based on the resolving power of the detectors we find the average dark count rate seen in an MKID is $(6.26\pm0.04)\times10^{-4}$ photons/pixel/s from 0.946-1.063 eV and $(2.73\pm0.02)\times10^{-4}$ photons/pixel/s at 1.416-1.534eV. Using lower-noise readout electronics to read out a single MKID pixel we demonstrate that the events measured while the detector is not illuminated largely appear to be a combination of real photons, possible fluorescence caused by cosmic rays, and phonon events in the array substrate. We also find that using lower-noise readout electronics on a single MKID pixel we measure a dark count rate of $(9.3\pm0.9)\times10^{-4}$ photons/pixel/s over the same bandpass (0.946-1.534 eV) With the single-pixel readout we also characterize the events when the detectors are not illuminated and show that these responses in the MKID are distinct from photons from known light sources such as a laser, likely coming from cosmic ray excitations.

astro-ph.IM

Readout of a quantum processor with high dynamic range Josephson parametric amplifiers

We demonstrate a high dynamic range Josephson parametric amplifier (JPA) in which the active nonlinear element is implemented using an array of rf-SQUIDs. The device is matched to the 50 $Ω$ environment with a Klopfenstein-taper impedance transformer and achieves a bandwidth of 250-300 MHz, with input saturation powers up to -95 dBm at 20 dB gain. A 54-qubit Sycamore processor was used to benchmark these devices, providing a calibration for readout power, an estimate of amplifier added noise, and a platform for comparison against standard impedance matched parametric amplifiers with a single dc-SQUID. We find that the high power rf-SQUID array design has no adverse effect on system noise, readout fidelity, or qubit dephasing, and we estimate an upper bound on amplifier added noise at 1.6 times the quantum limit. Lastly, amplifiers with this design show no degradation in readout fidelity due to gain compression, which can occur in multi-tone multiplexed readout with traditional JPAs.

quant-ph

SCExAO and Keck Direct Imaging Discovery of a Low-Mass Companion Around the Accelerating F5 Star HIP 5319

We present the direct imaging discovery of a low-mass companion to the nearby accelerating F star, HIP 5319, using SCExAO coupled with the CHARIS, VAMPIRES, and MEC instruments in addition to Keck/NIRC2 imaging. CHARIS $JHK$ (1.1-2.4 $μ$m) spectroscopic data combined with VAMPIRES 750 nm, MEC $Y$, and NIRC2 $L_{\rm p}$ photometry is best matched by an M3--M7 object with an effective temperature of T=3200 K and surface gravity log($g$)=5.5. Using the relative astrometry for HIP 5319 B from CHARIS and NIRC2 and absolute astrometry for the primary from $Gaia$ and $Hipparcos$ and adopting a log-normal prior assumption for the companion mass, we measure a dynamical mass for HIP 5319 B of $31^{+35}_{-11}M_{\rm J}$, a semimajor axis of $18.6^{+10}_{-4.1}$ au, an inclination of $69.4^{+5.6}_{-15}$ degrees, and an eccentricity of $0.42^{+0.39}_{-0.29}$. However, using an alternate prior for our dynamical model yields a much higher mass of 128$^{+127}_{-88}M_{\rm J}$. Using data taken with the LCOGT NRES instrument we also show that the primary HIP 5319 A is a single star in contrast to previous characterizations of the system as a spectroscopic binary. This work underscores the importance of assumed priors in dynamical models for companions detected with imaging and astrometry and the need to have an updated inventory of system measurements.

astro-ph.SR

Membrane-less phonon trapping and resolution enhancement in optical microwave kinetic inductance detectors

Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) sensitive to light in the ultraviolet to near-infrared wavelengths are superconducting micro-resonators that are capable of measuring photon arrival times to microsecond precision and estimating each photon's energy. The resolving power of non-membrane MKIDs has remained stubbornly around 10 at 1 $μ$m despite significant improvements in the system noise. Here we show that the resolving power can be roughly doubled with a simple bilayer design without needing to place the device on a membrane, avoiding a significant increase in fabrication complexity. Based on modeling of the phonon propagation, we find that the majority of the improvement comes from the inability of high energy phonons to enter the additional layer due to the lack of available phonon states.

astro-ph.IM

The MKID Science Data Pipeline

We present The MKID Pipeline, a general use science data pipeline for the reduction and analysis of ultraviolet, optical and infrared (UVOIR) Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detector (MKID) data sets. This paper provides an introduction to the nature of MKID data sets, an overview of the calibration steps included in the pipeline, and an introduction to the implementation of the software.

astro-ph.IM

Improving the energy resolution of photon counting Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors using principal component analysis

We develop a photon energy measurement scheme for single photon counting Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) that uses principal component analysis (PCA) to measure the energy of an incident photon from the signal ("photon pulse") generated by the detector. PCA can be used to characterize a photon pulse using an arbitrarily large number of features and therefore PCA-based energy measurement does not rely on the assumption of an energy-independent pulse shape that is made in standard filtering techniques. A PCA-based method for energy measurement is especially useful in applications where the detector is operating near its saturation energy and pulse shape varies strongly with photon energy. It has been shown previously that PCA using two principal components can be used as an energy-measurement scheme. We extend upon these ideas and develop a method for measuring the energies of photons by characterizing their pulse shapes using any number of principal components and any number of calibration energies. Applying this technique with 50 principal components, we show improvements to a previously-reported energy resolution for Thermal Kinetic Inductance Detectors (TKIDs) from 75 eV to 43 eV at 5.9 keV. We also apply this technique with 50 principal components to data from an optical to near-IR MKID and achieve energy resolutions that are consistent with the best results from existing analysis techniques.

astro-ph.IM

SCExAO/MEC and CHARIS Discovery of a Low Mass, 6 AU-Separation Companion to HIP 109427 using Stochastic Speckle Discrimination and High-Contrast Spectroscopy

We report the direct imaging discovery of a low-mass companion to the nearby accelerating A star, HIP 109427, with the Subaru Coronagraphic Extreme Adaptive Optics (SCExAO) instrument coupled with the MKID Exoplanet Camera (MEC) and CHARIS integral field spectrograph. CHARIS data reduced with reference star PSF subtraction yield 1.1-2.4 $μ$m spectra. MEC reveals the companion in $Y$ and $J$ band at a comparable signal-to-noise ratio using stochastic speckle discrimination, with no PSF subtraction techniques. Combined with complementary follow-up $L_{\rm p}$ photometry from Keck/NIRC2, the SCExAO data favors a spectral type, effective temperature, and luminosity of M4-M5.5, 3000-3200 $K$, and $\log_{10}(L/L_{\rm \odot}) = -2.28^{+0.04}_{-0.04}$, respectively. Relative astrometry of HIP 109427 B from SCExAO/CHARIS and Keck/NIRC2, and complementary Gaia-Hipparcos absolute astrometry of the primary favor a semimajor axis of $6.55^{+3.0}_{-0.48}$ au, an eccentricity of $0.54^{+0.28}_{-0.15}$, an inclination of $66.7^{+8.5}_{-14}$ degrees, and a dynamical mass of $0.280^{+0.18}_{-0.059}$ $M_{\odot}$. This work shows the potential for extreme AO systems to utilize speckle statistics in addition to widely-used post-processing methods to directly image faint companions to nearby stars near the telescope diffraction limit.

astro-ph.SR

Improving the dynamic range of single photon counting kinetic inductance detectors

We develop a simple coordinate transformation which can be employed to compensate for the nonlinearity introduced by a Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detector's (MKID) homodyne readout scheme. This coordinate system is compared to the canonically used polar coordinates and is shown to improve the performance of the filtering method often used to estimate a photon's energy. For a detector where the coordinate nonlinearity is primarily responsible for limiting its resolving power, this technique leads to increased dynamic range, which we show by applying the transformation to data from a hafnium MKID designed to be sensitive to photons with wavelengths in the 800 to 1300 nm range. The new coordinates allow the detector to resolve photons with wavelengths down to 400 nm, raising the resolving power at that wavelength from 6.8 to 17.

astro-ph.IM

Second Generation Readout For Large Format Photon Counting Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors

We present the development of a second generation digital readout system for photon counting microwave kinetic inductance detector (MKID) arrays operating in the optical and near-IR wavelength bands. Our system retains much of the core signal processing architecture from the first generation system, but with a significantly higher bandwidth, enabling readout of kilopixel MKID arrays. Each set of readout boards is capable of reading out 1024 MKID pixels multiplexed over 2 GHz of bandwidth; two such units can be placed in parallel to read out a full 2048 pixel microwave feedline over a 4 -- 8 GHz band. As in the first generation readout, our system is capable of identifying, analyzing, and recording photon detection events in real time with a time resolution of order a few microseconds. Here, we describe the hardware and firmware, and present an analysis of the noise properties of the system. We also present a novel algorithm for efficiently suppressing IQ mixer sidebands to below -30 dBc.

astro-ph.IM

The MKID Exoplanet Camera for Subaru SCExAO

We present the MKID Exoplanet Camera (MEC), a z through J band (800 - 1400 nm) integral field spectrograph located behind The Subaru Coronagraphic Extreme Adaptive Optics (SCExAO) at the Subaru Telescope on Maunakea that utilizes Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) as the enabling technology for high contrast imaging. MEC is the first permanently deployed near-infrared MKID instrument and is designed to operate both as an IFU, and as a focal plane wavefront sensor in a multi-kHz feedback loop with SCExAO. The read noise free, fast time domain information attainable by MKIDs allows for the direct probing of fast speckle fluctuations that currently limit the performance of most high contrast imaging systems on the ground and will help MEC achieve its ultimate goal of reaching contrasts of $10^{-7}$ at 2$λ/ D$. Here we outline the instrument details of MEC including the hardware, firmware, and data reduction and analysis pipeline. We then discuss MEC's current on-sky performance and end with future upgrades and plans.

astro-ph.IM

Flexible Coaxial Ribbon Cable for High-Density Superconducting Microwave Device Arrays

Superconducting electronics often require high-density microwave interconnects capable of transporting signals between temperature stages with minimal loss, cross talk, and heat conduction. We report the design and fabrication of superconducting 53 wt% Nb-47 wt% Ti (Nb47Ti) FLexible coAXial ribbon cables (FLAX). The ten traces each consist of a 0.076 mm O.D. NbTi inner conductor insulated with PFA (0.28 mm O.D.) and sheathed in a shared 0.025 mm thick Nb47Ti outer conductor. The cable is terminated with G3PO coaxial push-on connectors via stainless steel capillary tubing (1.6 mm O.D., 0.13 mm thick) soldered to a coplanar wave guide transition board. The 30 cm long cable has 1 dB of loss at 8 GHz with -60 dB nearest-neighbor forward cross talk. The loss is 0.5 dB more than commercially available superconducting coax likely due to impedance mismatches caused by manufacturing imperfections in the cable. The reported cross talk is 30 dB lower than previously developed laminated NbTi-onKapton microstrip cables. We estimate the heat load from 1 K to 90 mK to be 20 nW per trace, approximately half the computed load from the smallest commercially available superconducting coax from CryoCoax

physics.ins-det

Design and Performance of Hafnium Optical and Near-IR Kinetic Inductance Detectors

We report on the design and performance of Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) sensitive to single photons in the optical to near-infrared range using hafnium as the sensor material. Our test device had a superconducting transition temperature of 395 mK and a room temperature normal state resistivity of 97 $μΩ$ cm with an RRR = 1.6. Resonators on the device displayed internal quality factors of around 200,000. Similar to the analysis of MKIDs made from other highly resistive superconductors, we find that modeling the temperature response of the detector requires an extra broadening parameter in the superconducting density of states. Finally, we show that this material and design is compatible with a full-array fabrication process which resulted in pixels with decay times of about 40 $μ$s and resolving powers of ~9 at 800 nm.

astro-ph.IM

Wide-band Parametric Amplifier Readout and Resolution of Optical Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors

The energy resolution of a single photon counting Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detector (MKID) can be degraded by noise coming from the primary low temperature amplifier in the detector's readout system. Until recently, quantum limited amplifiers have been incompatible with these detectors due to dynamic range, power, and bandwidth constraints. However, we show that a kinetic inductance based traveling wave parametric amplifier can be used for this application and reaches the quantum limit. The total system noise for this readout scheme was equal to ~2.1 in units of quanta. For incident photons in the 800 to 1300 nm range, the amplifier increased the average resolving power of the detector from ~6.7 to 9.3 at which point the resolution becomes limited by noise on the pulse height of the signal. Noise measurements suggest that a resolving power of up to 25 is possible if redesigned detectors can remove this additional noise source.

astro-ph.IM

DARKNESS: A Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detector Integral Field Spectrograph for High-Contrast Astronomy

We present DARKNESS (the DARK-speckle Near-infrared Energy-resolving Superconducting Spectrophotometer), the first of several planned integral field spectrographs to use optical/near-infrared Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) for high-contrast imaging. The photon counting and simultaneous low-resolution spectroscopy provided by MKIDs will enable real-time speckle control techniques and post-processing speckle suppression at framerates capable of resolving the atmospheric speckles that currently limit high-contrast imaging from the ground. DARKNESS is now operational behind the PALM-3000 extreme adaptive optics system and the Stellar Double Coronagraph at Palomar Observatory. Here we describe the motivation, design, and characterization of the instrument, early on-sky results, and future prospects.

astro-ph.IM