Quantum phase slip interference device based on superconducting nanowire

TL;DR

This paper introduces a superconducting nanowire circuit that exhibits quantum interference effects similar to SQUIDs, demonstrating Coulomb blockade modulation via an electrostatic gate, advancing quantum device technology.

Contribution

It proposes a novel QPS-based transistor circuit with quantum interference, demonstrating gate-controlled Coulomb blockade in superconducting nanowires.

Findings

Demonstrated Coulomb blockade voltage in the nanowire circuit

Observed periodic modulation of blockade by electrostatic gate

Established duality to dc SQUID behavior

Abstract

We propose a transistor-like circuit including two serially connected segments of a narrow superconducting nanowire joint by a wider segment with a capacitively coupled gate in between. This circuit is made of amorphous NbSi film and embedded in a network of on-chip Cr microresistors ensuring a sufficiently high external electromagnetic impedance. Assuming a virtual regime of quantum phase slips (QPS)in two narrow segments of the wire, leading to quantum interference of voltages on these segments, this circuit is dual to the dc SQUID. Our samples demonstrated appreciable Coulomb blockade voltage (analog of critical current of the SQUIDs) and periodic modulation of this blockade by an electrostatic gate (analog of flux modulation in the SQUIDs). The model of this QPS transistor is discussed.