Analog-to-Digital Converter Based on Voltage-controlled Superconducting Device

TL;DR

This paper introduces the first voltage-controlled superconducting flash ADC using a novel Josephson junction FET, enabling scalable, low-power cryogenic data conversion for quantum and superconducting systems.

Contribution

It presents a new design of a superconducting ADC based on a quantum-enhanced JJFET, demonstrating its feasibility through simulation and establishing a foundation for scalable cryogenic electronics.

Findings

Accurate quantization with ultra-low power dissipation.

Successful simulation of a three-bit JJFET-based flash ADC.

Demonstrated compatibility with superconducting and quantum systems.

Abstract

The increasing demand for cryogenic electronics in superconducting and quantum computing systems calls for ultra energy efficient data conversion architectures that remain functional at deep cryogenic temperatures.In this work, we present the first design of a voltage-controlled superconducting flash analog-to-digital converter (ADC) based on a novel quantum enhanced Josephson junction field effect transistor (JJFET).Exploiting its strong gate tunability and transistor-like behavior, the JJFET offers a scalable alternative to conventional current controlled superconducting devices while aligning naturally with CMOS style design methodologies.Building on our previously developed Verilog A compact model calibrated to experimental data, we design and simulate a three bit JJFET based flash ADC.The core comparator block is realized through careful bias current selection and augmented with a three terminal nanocryotron to precisely define reference voltages.Cascaded JJFET comparators ensure robust voltage gain, cascadability, and logic level restoration across stages.Simulation results demonstrate accurate quantization behavior with ultra-low power dissipation, underscoring the feasibility of voltage driven superconducting mixed signal circuits.This work establishes a critical step toward unifying superconducting logic and data conversion, paving the way for scalable cryogenic architectures in quantum classical co-processors, low-power AI accelerators, and next generation energy constrained computing platforms.