Qubit RF Pulse Multiplexing for Scalable State Change Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The scalability of qubit circuit state change control systems is hindered by manufacturing tolerances and noise, leading to inaccuracy and reduced coherence time, particularly when using independent RF pulse generators for each qubit, which increases equipment costs and heat leak.

Innovation Solution

A combination of time domain multiplexing and frequency domain multiplexing is employed, using a single RF pulse generator for multiple qubits, with frequency selective filters and amplitude/phase adapters to compensate for manufacturing differences, allowing for simultaneous state changes across multiple qubits without the need for exact qubit matching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If independent RF pulse generators are used for each qubit, then state change accuracy is improved, but equipment cost and heat leak increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestate change accuracyVSAvoidequipment cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple RF pulse generators are merged into a single shared generator. The patent combines the functionality of multiple independent RF pulse generators into one device that serves all qubits, thereby reducing equipment cost and heat leak while maintaining state change accuracy through alternative control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A signal multiplexer is introduced as an intermediary component between the shared RF pulse generator and multiple qubits. This multiplexer enables precise control of RF signal distribution to different qubits, compensating for the loss of independent generator control and maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If independent RF pulse generators are used for each qubit, then state change accuracy is improved, but heat leak increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestate change accuracyVSAvoidheat leak
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple RF pulse generators are merged into a single shared generator, directly reducing the number of heat-generating devices in the system. This consolidation significantly decreases heat leak to the qubits while maintaining operational precision through the multiplexer-based control architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a single RF pulse generator is shared among multiple qubits, then equipment cost and heat leak are reduced, but state change accuracy deteriorates due to manufacturing tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment costVSAvoidstate change accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A signal multiplexer acts as an intermediary that provides precise control over RF signal distribution to each qubit. This intermediary component compensates for manufacturing tolerances by enabling accurate amplitude and phase control of RF pulses delivered to individual qubits from the shared generator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts RF signal parameters (amplitude, phase, timing) through the multiplexer based on which qubit is being addressed. This dynamic control capability ensures precise state changes for each qubit despite using a shared generator, overcoming static manufacturing variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If time domain multiplexing is used to share RF pulse generators, then equipment cost is reduced, but coherence time is reduced due to pulse timing constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment costVSAvoidcoherence time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The signal multiplexer serves as an intermediary that enables rapid, precise switching between qubits with minimal transition time. This fast switching capability reduces the time qubits spend in vulnerable states during pulse transitions, thereby preserving coherence time while enabling cost-effective shared generator architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 control of state changes for a large number of qubits with reduced equipment costs and heat leak, maintaining coherence time by using shared RF pulse generators and adaptive amplitude/phase compensation.

Implementation Method 1

The frequency selective filter is configured to transmit a signal at a frequency corresponding to a resonance frequency of the qubit circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrequency selective filtering: Filter (electronic)

Implementation Method 2

The frequency of the RF signal in the pulse is related to the resonance frequency of the qubit and may be in the Gigahertz range

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

the RF pulse to generate a superimposed electromagnetic field on a field in part of the superconducting resonant RF circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuperimposed electromagnetic field: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 4

a Josephson junction in this structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJosephson effect: Josephson Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3259844B1Qubit circuit state change control system
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 NEDERLANDSE ORG VOOR TOEGEPAST NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO
  • EP3259844B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3259844B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3259844B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A qubit system is provided wherein successive sets of M RF pulses are generated simultaneously, for application to qubit circuits in a plurality of N groups of M qubit circuits. M switching multiplexer circuits are used, each to pass a respective one of the M RF pulses in the set to a selected one of a plurality of N M to one RF combiners in a multiplexing mode. Combined RF pulses at M different RF frequencies are transmitted from each of the N combiners to a transmission structure for a respective one of the groups. Individual ones of the combined RF pulses are coupled from the transmission structure for the group to respective ones of the qubit circuits of the groups via respective frequency selective filters. In a broadcast mode the M switching multiplexer circuits are used to transmit the simultaneous pulses to all of RF combiners.