Tunable Qubit-Resonator Coupling for Fast Readout and Coherence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current qubit readout systems face challenges in achieving strong coupling for faster readout times while maintaining qubit coherence, as strong coupling leads to higher decoherence and limited computation time, and existing methods struggle with isolating qubits from the transmission line during logic and storage operations.

Innovation Solution

A tunable coupler, such as a compound Josephson junction coupler, is used to control the coupling strength between the qubit and readout resonator, allowing for strong coupling during readout and isolation during qubit operations, utilizing fast DC pulses to activate the coupler briefly for readout and maintaining near-zero coupling during quantum operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If strong coupling is used between qubit and readout resonator, then readout speed is improved, but qubit decoherence increases and computation time is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereadout speedVSAvoidqubit coherence
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a tunable coupler that dynamically adjusts the coupling strength between the qubit and readout resonator. During readout operations, the coupler is tuned to strong coupling to enable fast measurement. During computation and storage operations, the coupler is tuned to weak or zero coupling to preserve qubit coherence. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the coupling strength adaptive to operational requirements rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic switching of the coupler state, alternating between strong coupling during readout phases and weak coupling during computation phases. This periodic action allows the system to achieve fast readout when needed while maintaining qubit coherence during computational operations, effectively managing the trade-off between speed and reliability through time-dependent control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If strong coupling is used to the transmission line, then readout fidelity is improved, but qubit isolation during logic operations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereadout fidelityVSAvoidqubit isolation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tunable coupler enables dynamic control of the qubit's coupling to the transmission line. During readout, the coupler is adjusted to provide strong coupling for high-fidelity measurement. During logic and storage operations, the coupler is adjusted to provide strong isolation, protecting the qubit from decoherence caused by transmission line interactions. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between measurement precision and qubit isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If fixed coupling is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to achieve both fast readout and qubit protection is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling control complexityVSAvoidcoupling strength adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a tunable coupler as an intermediary component between the qubit and readout resonator. This coupler acts as a mediator that can be dynamically adjusted to control the interaction strength. While this adds some complexity to the device, it enables the system to achieve both fast readout and qubit protection by adapting the coupling strength to operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.

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 enhances the signal-to-noise ratio during readout, preserves qubit coherence during gate operations, and enables faster measurement with high signal quality, overcoming the limitations of fixed coupling methods by allowing for strong coupling without reducing qubit lifetime.

Implementation Method 1

The compound Josephson junction coupler comprises a superconducting loop interrupted by a compound Josephson junction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJosephson effect: Josephson Effect

Implementation Method 2

the transmon qubit is inductively coupled to the superconducting loop

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3652682B1System and method for qubit readout
Publication Date: 2021.12.01 NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORP
  • EP3652682B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3652682B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3652682B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for readout of a qubit. A readout resonator is coupled to a transmission line and a compound Josephson junction coupler couples the qubit to the readout resonator. A coupling controller controls the coupling strength of the compound Josephson junction coupler such that a coupling between the qubit and the readout resonator is a first value when a state of the qubit is being read and a second value during operation of the qubit.