Flux Pumped Kerr-Free Parametric Amplifier

TL;DR

This paper introduces a flux-pumped superconducting parametric amplifier using symmetrically threaded SQUIDs that operates at a Kerr-free point, enabling high-gain, quantum-limited amplification with minimal distortion.

Contribution

The authors propose a novel SQUID-based design that eliminates Kerr nonlinearity, allowing for strong drive operation and near-quantum-limited performance in a superconducting parametric amplifier.

Findings

Achieves phase-preserving gain up to 25 dB.

Maintains near-quantum-limited efficiency at the Kerr-free point.

Reduces higher-order deviations compared to Kerr nonlinearities.

Abstract

We propose a flux-pumped superconducting parametric amplifier based on symmetrically threaded superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) that achieves a Kerr-free operating point under suitable drive conditions. Eliminating the Kerr nonlinearity is advantageous for quantum-limited amplification, as it mitigates unwanted distortions in squeezing and prevents degradation of both gain and quantum efficiency in the high-gain strong drive regime. By replacing the central junction in the symmetrically threaded SQUIDs (STS) configuration with a linear inductor, we find that the Kerr-nonlinearity can be eliminated and the effective Hamiltonian reduces to that of a degenerate parametric amplifier (DPA), up to higher-order corrections in the zero-point fluctuations of the superconducting phase operator. We show that the deviations from ideal DPA behavior introduced by these higher-order terms are significantly weaker than those associated with a Kerr nonlinearity. Consequently, the STS design can be driven strongly while maintaining near-quantum-limited performance at the Kerr-free point. Our analysis predicts phase-preserving gain and efficiency approaching the quantum limit, with robust operation demonstrated up to 25 dB of gain.