A Traveling-Wave Parametric Amplifier and Converter

TL;DR

This paper introduces a compact, on-chip traveling-wave parametric amplifier and converter that provides broadband amplification and isolation, improving measurement efficiency and scalability in superconducting quantum computing.

Contribution

It presents a novel nonlinear transmission line design enabling integrated broadband amplification and isolation without magnetic components.

Findings

Achieves both forward amplification and backward isolation in a single circuit

Supports broadband operation suitable for quantum measurement

Reduces hardware complexity for scalable quantum computers

Abstract

High-fidelity qubit measurement is a critical element of all quantum computing architectures. In superconducting systems, qubits are typically measured by probing a readout resonator with a weak microwave tone that must be amplified before reaching the room temperature electronics. Superconducting parametric amplifiers have been widely adopted as the first amplifier in the chain, primarily because of their low noise performance, approaching the quantum limit. However, they require isolators and circulators to route signals up the measurement chain and to protect qubits from amplified noise. While these commercial components are wideband and simple to use, their intrinsic loss, size, and magnetic shielding requirements impact overall measurement efficiency and scalability. Here we report a parametric amplifier that achieves both broadband forward amplification and backward isolation in a single, compact, non-magnetic circuit that could be integrated on chip with superconducting qubits. The approach relies on a nonlinear transmission line that supports traveling-wave parametric amplification of forward propagating signals, and isolation via frequency conversion of backward propagating signals. This traveling-wave parametric amplifier and converter has the potential to reduce the readout hardware overhead when scaling up the size of superconducting quantum computers.