Quantum Component Shielding Structure for Cryogenic Radiation Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shielding solutions for quantum components are bulky, expensive, and not compatible with various cryostats, allowing high-frequency electromagnetic radiation to penetrate and disrupt device operation, especially in cryogenic environments.
Innovation Solution
A device with a shielding arrangement comprising electrically conductive elements surrounding a component to form a shielded area, preventing electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than a selected threshold from reaching the component, using a Faraday cage-like structure with substrates and coupling elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional millikelvin refrigerators with multiple nested shields are used, then radiation shielding performance is improved, but device size and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested shielding structure where a first radiation shield is placed inside a second radiation shield, with the quantum component positioned between them. This nested arrangement provides multiple layers of radiation protection while maintaining a compact form factor, avoiding the need for bulky conventional millikelvin refrigerator shields.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding system is divided into separate functional layers: an outer shield (second radiation shield) and an inner shield (first radiation shield), each potentially optimized for different wavelength ranges. This segmentation allows targeted shielding against specific radiation sources without requiring a single massive shield structure.
2Temperature
If conventional dilution refrigerators are used to achieve millikelvin temperatures, then temperature control is improved, but cost and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation shields are designed to be compatible with various cryostat types (dilution refrigerators, pulse tube refrigerators, adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators), allowing the same shielding structure to be used across different cooling systems. This universality reduces the need for custom-built complex refrigerator systems while maintaining millikelvin temperature control.
3Ease of operation
If sample stages are opened to change samples, then ease of operation is improved, but radiation leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The quantum component is pre-positioned on a substrate that is already mounted within the nested radiation shields before cooling begins. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need to open the sample stage during operation, as samples can be prepared and attached outside the shielded environment, then introduced through sealed access points or pre-installed positions.
4Temperature
If quantum components are placed in cryogenic volumes, then thermal noise is reduced, but high-frequency electromagnetic noise still penetrates
Solution Approach 1:
The nested radiation shields act as intermediary structures between the cryogenic environment and the quantum component. These shields specifically target and block high-frequency electromagnetic radiation (microwave to terahertz range) that would otherwise penetrate the cryogenic volume and excite quasiparticles or two-level systems in the quantum device.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation shields are positioned in close proximity to the quantum component, providing localized electromagnetic shielding exactly where it is needed. The shields may have non-uniform thickness or material properties optimized for blocking radiation from specific directions or frequency ranges, rather than requiring uniform shielding throughout the entire cryogenic volume.
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 provides effective radiation shielding, enabling miniaturization and compatibility with different cryostats, reducing thermal noise, and maintaining low operating costs for quantum technology.
Implementation Method 1
a shielding arrangement comprising a plurality of shielding elements (120) made of electrically conductive material, said shielding elements (120) being configured to essentially surround at least said first component (114) to provide a shielded area (128) within which said first component (114) is located, wherein electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength longer than a selected first wavelength essentially cannot reach said shielded area (128)
Data Source
AI summary
A device for shielding at least one component from thermal radiation, the device comprising at least a first substrate with a first surface and a second surface and a second substrate with a first surface and second surface, the first surface of the second substrate being arranged to at least partially face the second surface of the first substrate. The device additionally comprises at least a first component arranged on the first surface of the second substrate or the second surface of the first substrate and a shielding arrangement comprising a plurality of shielding elements comprising electrically conductive material, the shielding elements being configured to essentially surround at least the first component to provide a shielded area within which the first component is located, wherein electromagnetic radiation having wavelength longer than a selected first wavelength is essentially prevented from reaching the shielded area.