Electro-Optical Component
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Solution Overview
Problem
Superconducting resonators are sensitive to optical photons, which can cause localized loss of superconducting properties, adversely affecting the operation of quantum computers.
Innovation Solution
An electro-optical component with a blocking layer of opaque material, such as InSb or a combination of gold and Al2O3, is placed between the erbium-implanted silicon waveguide and the superconducting microwave resonator to prevent optical photons from reaching the resonator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blocking layer is added to prevent optical photons from reaching the superconducting resonator, then the superconducting properties are maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
An opaque blocking layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the erbium-implanted silicon waveguide and the superconducting microwave resonator. This blocking layer selectively prevents optical photons from reaching the superconducting resonator while allowing the device to maintain its quantum coupling functionality, thus protecting the superconducting properties without completely isolating the two components
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking layer is constructed using composite material structures, such as combinations of metals (e.g., gold, aluminum) and dielectric materials (e.g., silicon dioxide, silicon nitride). These composite structures provide both the necessary optical opacity to block 1550 nm photons and appropriate electrical and mechanical properties for integration with the superconducting and photonic components
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the blocking layer is made thicker to improve photon blocking, then optical photons are better blocked, but the coherent coupling between waveguide and microwave resonator deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thickness of the blocking layer is precisely controlled within a specific parameter range (typically 10-100 nanometers). By optimizing this dimensional parameter, the blocking layer achieves sufficient optical opacity to prevent photon-induced superconductivity loss while remaining thin enough to allow magnetic field penetration for coherent coupling between the waveguide and microwave resonator
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking layer is positioned specifically at the interface where optical photons would otherwise reach the superconducting resonator, providing localized protection only where needed. This spatially selective approach ensures photon blocking at the critical interface while maintaining coherent coupling pathways through the blocked region
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 blocking layer prevents optical photons from being absorbed by the superconducting components, maintaining the superconducting properties and enabling coherent coupling between photonic and superconducting quantum computers.
Implementation Method 1
a blocking layer of opaque material is arranged between the waveguide and microwave resonator wherein the microwave resonator is coherently coupled to spin states of the erbium... the provision of a blocking layer of opaque material between the waveguide and microwave resonator ensures that photons directed through the waveguide are not absorbed by the superconducting components
Implementation Method 2
the spin state of erbium implanted into silicon can couple to a superconducting resonator, and in 'Optically modulated magnetic resonance of erbium implanted silicon. Scientific Reports, 9, 19031 (2019)' that 1550 nm light can modulate the spin state of erbium implanted into silicon; this shows that erbium implanted silicon can be used to couple 1550 nm photons to superconducting resonators
Data Source
AI summary
An electro-optical component comprising an erbium and oxygen implanted silicon waveguide and a superconducting microwave resonator. A blocking layer of opaque material arranged between the waveguide and microwave resonator. The microwave resonator coherently coupled to spin states of the erbium.