Constant Impedance Connectors for Quantum Cryogenic Signal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current connection systems for quantum computers face challenges in operating in cryogenic environments, including thermal energy management, noise reduction, and maintaining signal integrity, while also requiring high cable density and hermetic sealing without damaging small diameter conductors.
Innovation Solution
A connection system utilizing constant impedance connectors with embedded attenuators or filters, designed for cryogenic operation, featuring hermetic seals and adaptable configurations to manage thermal energy and noise, with non-magnetic materials and superconducting cabling to ensure reliable signal transmission across 'cold' and 'warm' environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If signal cables are transmitted through tiered stages from warm to cold environments, then signal transmission is enabled, but thermal energy is introduced into the cryogenic environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces attenuators as intermediary components embedded within constant impedance connectors along the signal cable path. These attenuators act as mediators that progressively reduce signal power and thermal energy as signals traverse from warm to cold environments, preventing excessive thermal loading on the quantum computer while maintaining signal integrity for control and readout operations
2Temperature
If attenuators are embedded in constant impedance connectors, then thermal energy is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the attenuator component with the constant impedance connector housing, creating an integrated assembly where the attenuator is embedded within the connector structure. This combination eliminates the need for separate attenuator components and simplifies installation, as the entire assembly can be installed as a single unit while maintaining constant impedance characteristics and providing thermal management
Solution Approach 2:
The constant impedance connector is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: maintaining constant impedance for signal integrity, providing mechanical connection between cable stages, and housing embedded attenuators for thermal management. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function
3Reliability
If hermetic seals are implemented for center conductors, then environmental sealing is achieved, but installation difficulty increases due to small diameter conductors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates hermetic seals as pre-integrated components within the constant impedance connector assemblies during manufacturing. The seals are pre-positioned and pre-configured to match the small diameter center conductors, so that during installation, the entire connector assembly with its integrated seal is simply installed as a complete unit, eliminating the need for field installation of delicate seals on tiny conductors
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 effectively reduces thermal energy and noise, maintains signal integrity, and supports high cable density, enabling efficient operation in cryogenic conditions without damaging small diameter conductors, thus enhancing the performance of quantum computers.
Implementation Method 1
hermetic seals located between each of the hermetic header housing connectors on the first and second sides for hermetically sealing center conductors passing therethrough
Implementation Method 2
constant impedance connector system, utilizing the characteristics of known constant impedance connectors
Data Source
AI summary
A connection system for a quantum computer that employs constant impedance connectors with attenuation or filtering components or both embedded therein or within an adaptor removably insertable within an adaptor housing for use in a cryogenically cooled quantum computer. The connection system provides a higher density of cables traversing through a hermetic sealed top plate, and which are accessible to chill blocks to reduce the thermal energy from the signal lines. Attenuators or filter circuits are embedded in the constant impedance connector housings, or provided in adaptors that connect on each end to form mating constant impedance connections, in order to reduce signal strength as the signal progresses through the cryogenic environment and to remove extraneous electrical signal noise.