Summary
A superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) is an extremely sensitive magnetic field detector. Microstrip SQUIDs can amplify weak radio frequency (RF) signals, a capability that makes them attractive as a potential alternative to the cryogenic semiconductor-based RF amplifiers that are available commercially, but at a cost of approximately $6,000 each. The challenge of using microstrip SQUIDs has been that they are static sensitive and can be overwhelmed by external noise. By tweaking microstrip SQUID design to achieve the quantum noise limit, and by packaging the technology into a more practical configuration, our team is working to reduce the cost of the SQUID approach by an order of magnitude. We also are working toward a much higher performance amplifier, with voltage noise reduced ten fold.
In the course of our work, we expect to fabricate “user-friendly” SQUIDs – packaging the RF filtering, RF-SQUID, and amplification together – such that a non-specialist could easily run the amplifier with the ease of running a conventional semiconductor amplifier. In addition to producing a practical, high-performance and economical amplifier, we believe that our work will facilitate multiple new quantum readout applications, as well as interesting fundamental physics.
Related Content
Quantum Sensing Applications using Quantum Communication Technology
Summary The Quantum Encryption and Science Satellite provides a platform to develop and deploy quantum sensing and metrology via photonic channels. This project will build upon ‘free-space’ quantum communication technology and explore new approaches and methods to advance two primary applications: quantum-enhanced telescopes, and spectroscopic sensing for methane detection in the atmosphere. For the […]
December 8, 2018

Two-Dimensional Quantum Materials and Heterostructures
Two-dimensional (2D) layers just one atom thick can be stripped from certain materials, such as graphene.
June 1, 2017

Micro-Supercapacitors Based on Termination Optimized MXene Quantum Dots with Ultra-High Rate Capability and Fast Frequency Response
Micro-supercapacitors (MCs) are miniaturized energy storage devices that can enhance the performance of wearable health devices, medical implants, wireless sensors, and micro-electromechanical systems due to their fast frequency response, long life cycle, and vast temperature operation. However, to make these MC systems into commercially feasible products, necessary improvements to current MC performance are necessary, primarily […]
June 12, 2023

A Reformulation of Quantum Game Theory
Summary Classical game theory – conducted at the interface between economics and computer science – has found applications in topics ranging from networking and security to online markets. Despite over 20 years of research into connections between game theory and quantum information, we have yet to see any significant implications of quantum information when applied […]
April 1, 2020