Using coherent feedback for a periodic clock

TL;DR

This paper introduces a fully quantum periodic clock using a driven oscillator with coherent quantum feedback, demonstrating higher accuracy and coherence than classical clocks through theoretical analysis and superconducting circuit experiments.

Contribution

The paper presents the first implementation of a quantum autonomous clock with coherent feedback, showing improved accuracy and coherence over classical feedback-based clocks.

Findings

Quantum clock exhibits higher accuracy than classical feedback clocks.

Limit cycles are supported in the quantum regime, enabling periodic oscillations.

Experimental realization confirms the theoretical predictions of clock coherence.

Abstract

A driven linear oscillator and a feedback mechanism are two necessary elements of any classical periodic clock. Here, we introduce a novel, fully quantum clock using a driven oscillator in the quantum regime and coherent quantum feedback. We show that if we treat the model semiclassically, this system supports limit cycles, or self-sustained oscillations, as needed for a periodic clock. We then analyse the noise of the system quantum mechanically and prove that the accuracy of this clock is higher compared to the clock implemented with the classical measurement feedback. We experimentally implement the model using two superconducting cavities with incorporated Josephson junctions and microwave circulators for the realisation of the quantum feedback. We confirm the appearance of the limit cycle and study the clock accuracy both in frequency and time domains. Under specific conditions of noisy driving, we observe that the clock oscillations are more coherent than the drive, pointing towards the implementation of a quantum autonomous clock.