Cryogenic Flex Wiring Layout for Dense Qubit RF Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wiring solutions for quantum computing, such as DC wiring and coaxial cables, fail to provide high density and sufficient RF performance while minimizing heating and cost, especially in cryogenic environments where qubits are maintained at extremely low temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A high density wiring system using flexible layers with phosphor bronze conductive layers, coated with a superconducting material like tin-lead solder, designed for use in dilution refrigerators to transmit RF signals, featuring a flexible wiring system with multiple layers and connectors to manage temperature stages effectively, reducing heat generation and increasing signal capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If DC wiring (twisted-pair wires or unshielded ribbon cables) is used, then high wiring density is achieved, but RF performance (bandwidth and isolation) is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite construction combining phosphor bronze conductive layers with superconducting material coatings (such as tin-lead solder). This composite structure enables the wiring to achieve both high density and excellent RF performance by leveraging the electrical conductivity of phosphor bronze and the superconducting properties of the coating material, which provides low loss and high isolation at cryogenic temperatures.
2Reliability
If coaxial cables are used, then excellent RF performance is achieved, but wiring density is low and cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional three-dimensional coaxial cable structures to a planar multi-layer flex cable architecture. By distributing signal traces across multiple flexible layers with ground planes interspersed between them, the design achieves high wiring density in a compact form factor while maintaining excellent RF performance through controlled impedance and shielding provided by the adjacent ground layers.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional wiring is used, then connections are provided, but excessive heating occurs in cryogenic environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter by applying superconducting material coatings to the phosphor bronze conductive layers. This parameter change enables the wiring to operate with zero electrical resistance at cryogenic temperatures, eliminating Joule heating that would occur with traditional conductive materials. The superconducting state is achieved by cooling the wiring below the critical temperature of the coating material.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient transmission of RF signals with high bandwidth and isolation, capable of carrying multiple signals, while minimizing heating and cost, supporting the integration of hundreds of signals in quantum computing systems and cryogenic sensors.
Implementation Method 1
The conductive layers may be constructed using phosphor bronze. The wiring system that is disposed at the lower temperature stages of the dilution refrigerator may be coated with a superconducting material.
Implementation Method 2
A dilution refrigerator relies on a mixture of 3He and 4He isotopes. The lighter 3He isotopes are pumped out from a 3He poor zone and pumped into the 3He rich zone. This affects the equilibrium of the mixture which causes a cooling effect.
Data Source
AI summary
A high density wiring system to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals to superconducting qubits disposed within a dilution refrigerator is disclosed. The high density wiring system comprises a plurality of flexible layers, with conductive layers disposed between adjacent pairs of flexible layers. The conductive layers may be constructed using phosphor bronze. The wiring system that is disposed at the lower temperature stages of the dilution refrigerator may be coated with a superconducting material. The wiring system is useful for superconducting quantum computers and cryogenic sensors, as well as cryogenic infrastructure.