Temperature Stabilization of Cryogenic Setups with Radiative Load

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Solution Overview

Problem

Temperature fluctuations in mechanical structures of quantum information processing systems operated at cryogenic temperatures cause optical misalignment, crosstalk errors, and reduced photon efficiency, which conventional resistive heaters address ineffectively due to magnetic field interference and uneven heat distribution.

Innovation Solution

Employing a radiative heat source, such as a laser or LED, to provide thermal radiation to coated components within the cryostat, maintaining uniform temperature stabilization without magnetic interference, using coatings like gold, copper, or aluminum to absorb specific wavelengths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional resistive heaters are used to heat components in cryogenic systems, then heating capability is provided, but magnetic field interference and uneven heat distribution occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidmagnetic field interference

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional resistive (electrical) heating with optical heating using lasers or LEDs. The optical system delivers thermal energy through light absorption by the component surface, eliminating magnetic field interference entirely while achieving uniform temperature distribution across the heated surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the heating mechanism from electrical resistance heating to optical absorption heating. By selecting specific laser wavelengths that match the absorption characteristics of the component material, the system achieves efficient and uniform heating without the harmful magnetic effects of conventional resistive heaters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional resistive heaters are used to heat components in cryogenic systems, then heating capability is provided, but optical misalignment and crosstalk errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidoptical alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces contact-based resistive heating with non-contact optical heating. This eliminates thermal gradients and mechanical stress that cause expansion/contraction and optical misalignment, thereby improving both system reliability and optical alignment precision simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Temperature

If radiative heat source is used to heat coated surfaces, then uniform temperature stabilization is achieved without magnetic interference, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidheating system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses off-the-shelf laser diodes or LEDs with wavelengths matched to the absorption spectrum of commonly available coatings (gold, copper, aluminum, silver). This approach achieves uniform temperature stabilization without magnetic interference while avoiding excessive system complexity through parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs standard metallic coatings (gold, copper, aluminum, silver) on component surfaces, which serve dual purposes: providing the desired functional properties and acting as efficient absorbers for commercially available laser wavelengths, thereby simplifying the overall system while achieving excellent temperature control.

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

Stabilizes mechanical structures at cryogenic temperatures, reducing optical misalignment and enhancing photon detection fidelity by maintaining consistent temperature, thus improving system performance.

Implementation Method 1

The radiative heat source is configured to provide thermal radiation to heat the coated surface of the component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

A surface of the component is coated with a coating comprising one or more of gold, copper, aluminum, silver, a dielectric material, and combinations thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption of electromagnetic radiation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20260002724A1Temperature Stabilization of Cryogenic Setups with Radiative Load

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 IONQ INC

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to systems and methods for use in the implementation and/or operation of quantum information processing (QIP) systems, and more particularly, to systems and methods for providing temperature stabilization of cryogenic setups with radiative load.