Dual-Superconductor Quantum Transducer for Efficient Electro-Optic Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing quantum transducers face challenges in achieving high transduction efficiencies and bandwidth due to issues like low efficiency in mechanical resonators and unwanted pre-breakdown currents in coupled optical and microwave resonators.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a quantum transducer architecture that includes a superconducting microwave resonator with a microstrip or co-planar waveguide structure, coupled with an optical resonator. This architecture utilizes distinct material compositions for the superconducting waveguide and ground plane, along with a χ(3) medium in the optical resonator, to induce effective χ(2) non-linearities and achieve efficient electro-optic coupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a mechanical resonator is used as a mediating degree of freedom between microwave and optical domains, then transduction is enabled, but transduction efficiency and bandwidth are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransduction efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an optical resonator with a χ(3) medium as an intermediary to enable direct electro-optic coupling between microwave and optical domains, replacing mechanical resonators and achieving high transduction efficiency without the bandwidth and efficiency limitations of mechanical systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies a direct current voltage to the optical resonator to induce effective χ(2) non-linearities in the χ(3) medium, changing the optical properties of the resonator to enable efficient microwave-to-optical transduction with high bandwidth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If coupled optical and microwave resonators are used, then transduction is enabled, but unwanted pre-breakdown currents occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransduction efficiencyVSAvoidpre-breakdown currents

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses distinct material compositions for the superconducting waveguide and ground plane, creating local variations in work function that enable asymmetric current suppression at the superconductor-dielectric junctions, eliminating pre-breakdown currents while maintaining transduction efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric material selection where the superconducting waveguide has a different material composition than the superconducting ground plane, creating asymmetric Schottky barriers that suppress unwanted currents while allowing desired transduction operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Strength

If a dielectric substrate is used between superconducting waveguide and ground plane, then structural support is provided, but voltage range is limited due to breakdown

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidvoltage range

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material structures combining superconducting materials with different work functions and high-breakdown-field dielectric substrates, creating a system that provides both structural integrity and extended voltage operating range through the synergistic properties of the composite materials

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

This approach enables efficient conversion of microwave photons to infrared photons and vice versa, overcoming previous limitations in transduction efficiency and bandwidth, while minimizing unwanted currents and sustaining a wide range of voltage applications.

Implementation Method 1

both of the Schottky barriers can be reverse biased at the same time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSchottky barrier:

Implementation Method 2

superconducting microwave resonator having a microstrip architecture that can include a dielectric substrate positioned between a superconducting waveguide and a superconducting ground plane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuperconductivity: Superconductivity

Implementation Method 3

use of effective χ(2) non-linearities in optical resonators comprising χ(3) medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific Effectχ(2) non-linearity:

Implementation Method 4

achieve efficient electro-optic coupling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-optic effect: Electro-Optic Effects

Implementation Method 5

convert single photons from microwave frequencies up to the infrared telecom domain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhoton conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS12332538B2Dual-superconductor quantum transducer

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Techniques regarding quantum transducers are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can include an apparatus that can comprise a superconducting microwave resonator having a microstrip architecture that can include a dielectric substrate positioned between a superconducting waveguide and a superconducting ground plane. The superconducting waveguide can have a first material composition. Also, the superconducting ground plane can have a second material composition that is distinct from the first material composition. Further, an optical resonator can be arranged with the dielectric substrate.