Josephson Parametric Amplifier With Impedance Matching for Wide Bandwidth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parametric amplifier systems face challenges in achieving high gain and large bandwidth while maintaining low noise, often requiring trade-offs in design.

Innovation Solution

A parametric amplifier system incorporating an input/output transmission line, impedance matching network, and a non-linearity circuit with Josephson junctions and RF superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) arranged in alternating orientations, which provides impedance matching and amplification of high-frequency signal tones with sufficient gain and high saturation power across a broad bandwidth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a typical parametric amplifier is designed to provide high gain, then the noise performance is improved, but the bandwidth is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise performanceVSAvoidbandwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The amplifier is divided into multiple parametric amplifier stages, each contributing to the overall gain while maintaining bandwidth. The segmented approach allows each stage to operate optimally without sacrificing total system bandwidth

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-dimensional gain optimization to a multi-dimensional design considering gain, bandwidth, and noise simultaneously through the use of multiple stages with different characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a parametric amplifier is designed to provide large bandwidth, then the adaptability is improved, but the gain is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidgain
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple parametric amplifier stages are merged in series to achieve cumulative gain while each stage maintains its bandwidth characteristics. The combined system achieves both high gain and large bandwidth that cannot be achieved by a single stage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If a varactor parametric amplifier is used to provide non-linear adjustment to reactance, then the noise performance is improved, but the saturation power is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise performanceVSAvoidsaturation power
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite nonlinear elements combining varactor diodes with additional components to create a hybrid structure that maintains the low noise advantage of varactors while increasing the saturation power through the composite configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 system achieves high gain (at least 20 dB) over a large bandwidth (approximately 1 GHz) with high saturation power (approximately -90 dB), effectively addressing the trade-off limitations of traditional designs.

Implementation Method 1

a non-linearity circuit comprising at least one Josephson junction to provide at least one inductive path of the signal tone in parallel with the at least one Josephson junction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJosephson effect: Josephson Effect

Implementation Method 2

a non-linearity circuit comprising a plurality of RF superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) arranged in alternating orientations in an array

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuperconducting quantum interference: Josephson Effect

Implementation Method 3

an impedance matching network coupled to the I/O transmission line to provide impedance matching of the tone signal between the I/O transmission line and the non-linearity element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpedance transformation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3704794B1Parametric amplifier system
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORP
  • EP3704794B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3704794B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3704794B1 patent drawing

AI summary

One example includes a parametric amplifier system. The system includes an input/output (I/O) transmission line to propagate a signal tone. The system also includes a non-linearity circuit comprising at least one Josephson junction to provide at least one inductive path of the signal tone in parallel with the at least one Josephson junction. The system further includes an impedance matching network coupled to the I/O transmission line to provide impedance matching of the tone signal between the I/O transmission line and the non-linearity element.