On-demand single-microwave-photon source in a superconducting circuit with wideband frequency tunability

TL;DR

This paper introduces a theoretical method for on-demand generation of single microwave photons in superconducting circuits, with wideband frequency tunability achieved through Landau-Zener transitions, enabling fast and broad control over photon emission.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel protocol for generating and tuning single microwave photons over two octaves in superconducting circuits without extensive calibration.

Findings

High generation efficiency estimated

Photon tunability over two octaves demonstrated

Purity and linewidth of emitted photons analyzed

Abstract

In this article, we propose a new method of generating single microwave photons in superconducting circuits. We theoretically show that pure single microwave photons can be generated on demand and tuned over a large frequency band by making use of Landau-Zener transitions under a rapid sweep of a control parameter. We devise a protocol that enables fast control of the frequency of the emitted photon over two octaves, without requiring extensive calibration. Additionally, we make theoretical estimates of the generation efficiency, tunability, purity, and linewidth of the photons emitted using this method for both charge and flux qubit-based architectures. We also provide estimates of optimal device parameters for these architectures in order to realize the device.