超导量子干涉器件

超导现象是一种宏观量子现象.磁通量子化和约瑟夫森效应是两个最能体现这种宏观量子特性的物理现象.超导量子干涉器件(superconducting quantum interference device,SQUID)是利用这两个特性而形成的超导器件.SQUID器件在磁信号灵敏探测方面具有广泛的应用.本文简要介绍低温超导和高温超导SQUID器件的相关背景和发展现状以及应用领域.     

基于超导量子器件的量子计算

超导量子器件能够展现宏观量子相干性.基于超导量子器件的量子计算是量子信息领域中的一个重要研究方向,同时,超导量子器件物理特性的研究也是目前凝聚态物理和量子光学领域的交叉前沿课题.文章简述了近年来在超导量子计算方面的一些重要结果和进展,并讨论了其研究现状和发展趋势.     

宏观共振隧穿的新进展及其在量子信息处理中的应用(英文)

从量子力学诞生以来,关于宏观物体的运动是否遵循量子力学的辩论就一直没有停止过。上世纪八十年代初期以来,一系列在约瑟夫森结和超导量子干涉器件(SQUID)中观测到的实验结果,包括相位和磁通的宏观量子隧穿,能级量子化,宏观共振隧穿,和在微波驱动下的相干动力学过程对认为宏观物体的运动在满足一定条件下同样遵循量子力学规律的观点提供了强有力的实验证据。在众多已观察到的宏观量子现象中,宏观共振隧穿结合了能级分立和隧穿这两个最具特征的量子现象。由于宏观共振隧穿的观测无需使用高频电磁波激发,这就避免了实验结果也可以用经典物理解释的可能,所以在一个系统中观测到宏观共振隧穿可以说是展示该系统的量子属性的最有力证据。本文讨论近年来从理论和实验两方面理解耗散和磁通噪声对类似SQUID的双势阱系统宏观共振隧穿率和谱线形状的影响。评述宏观共振隧穿谱的测量在探寻、理解、克服超导磁通量子比特中的退相干机制并最终实现规模化量子计算方面的应用。     

宏观共振隧穿的新进展及其在量子信息处理中的应用

从量子力学诞生以来,关于宏观物体的运动是否遵循量子力学的辩论就一直没有停止过.上世纪八十年代初期以来,一系列在约瑟夫森结和超导最子干涉器件(SQUID)中观测到的实验结果,包括相位和磁通的宏观量子隧穿,能级量子化,宏观共振隧穿,和在微波驱动下的相干动力学过程对认为宏观物体的运动在满足一定条件下同样遵循量子力学规律的观点提供了强有力的实验证据.在众多已观察到的宏观量子现象中,宏观共振隧穿结合了能级分立和隧穿这两个最具特征的量子现象.由于宏观共振隧穿的观测无需使用高频电磁波激发,这就避免了实验结果也可以用经典物理解释的可能,所以在一个系统中观测到宏观共振隧穿可以说是展示该系统的量子属性的最有力证据.本文讨论近年来从理论和实验两方面理解耗散和磁通噪声对类似SQUID的双势阱系统宏观共振隧穿率和谱线形状的影响.评述宏观共振隧穿谱的测量在探寻、理解、克服超导磁通量子比特中的退相干机制并最终实现规模化量子计算方面的应用.     

本征约瑟夫森结跳变电流分布的量子修正

在约瑟夫森结跳变电流统计分布的理论拟合过程中,通常考虑的是宏观量子隧穿与热激活这两种过程. 对Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+δ表面本征约瑟夫森结的结果分析表明,在宏观量子隧穿与热激活的交界区域内,若考虑量子修正能使实验曲线与理论曲线符合得更好. 这种较为完整的拟合方法,对研究本征约瑟夫森器件中的宏观量子现象及其在超导量子比特中的应用具有积极的意义. 关键词： 约瑟夫森结 跳变电流分布 量子修正     

铌基超导量子比特及辅助器件的制备

近年来超导量子计算的研究方兴未艾,随着谷歌宣布首次实现“量子优势”,这一领域的研究受到了人们进一步的广泛关注.超导量子比特是具有量子化能级、量子态叠加和量子态纠缠等典型量子特性的宏观器件,通过电磁脉冲信号控制磁通量、电荷或具有非线性电感和无能量耗散的约瑟夫森结上的位相差,可对量子态进行精确调控,从而实现量子计算和量子信息处理.超导量子比特有着诸多方面的优势,很有希望成为普适量子计算的核心组成部分.以铌或其他硬金属(如钽等)为首层大面积材料制备的超导量子比特及辅助器件(简称铌基器件)拥有其独特的优点以及进一步发展的空间,目前已引起越来越多的兴趣.本文将介绍常见的多种超导量子比特的基本构成和工作原理,进而按照器件加工的一般顺序,从基片选择和预处理、薄膜生长、图形转移、刻蚀和约瑟夫森结的制备等方面详细介绍铌基超导量子比特及其辅助器件的多种制备工艺,为超导量子比特的制备提供一个可借鉴的清晰的工艺过程.最后,介绍若干制备铌基超导量子比特与辅助器件的具体例子,并对器件制备的工艺与方法的优化做展望.     

超导量子比特中的量子跳跃方法

量子力学自建立以来很长一段时间被当作是描述系综运动的理论.但是上世纪80年代对冈禁离子和原子的研究观测到了量子跳跃现象,迫使人们发展了一些能够用于单量子系统的方法,其中之一就是量子跳跃方法.本文总结了我们近来把量子跳跃方法应用到以约瑟夫森隧道结为基础的超导量子比特的工作.我们不但实验观测到宏观量子系统中的量子跳跃,还可以利用量子跳跃现象来研究固体中普遍存在的两能级系统及其引起的超导量子比特中的退相干.     

超导量子比特中的量子跳跃方法

量子力学自建立以来很长一段时间被当作是描述系综运动的理论。但是上世纪80年代对囚禁离子和原子的研究观测到了量子跳跃现象,迫使人们发展了一些能够用于单量子系统的方法,其中之一就是量子跳跃方法。本文总结了我们近来把量子跳跃方法应用到以约瑟夫森隧道结为基础的超导量子比特的工作。我们不但实验观测到宏观量子系统中的量子跳跃,还可以利用量子跳跃现象来研究固体中普遍存在的两能级系统及其引起的超导量子比特中的退相干。     

超导量子比特

随着2019年谷歌成功实现了“量子优势”,超导量子计算的研究正引起人们更加广泛的关注.超导量子比特是拥有量子化能级、量子态叠加和量子态纠缠等量子力学特性的宏观器件,目前被广泛应用于量子物理、原子物理、量子光学、量子化学、量子模拟和量子计算等诸多领域中.本文将重点讨论位相、电荷、传输子以及磁通型超导量子比特的基本原理及其器件结构,并讨论器件的制备方法和量子态测量技术,最后对基于超导量子比特开展的物理问题的研究做一简单介绍.     

量子计算的物理实现

与经典计算相比，量子计算对信息的处理和计算有很大的优越性．在量子计算研究中，其物理实现方法的研究是一个重要部分．文章首先介绍了DiVincenzo关于量子计算的物理实现技术的7个判据，然后简要介绍了目前实现量子计算的10种物理实现方法，包括离子阱、中性原子、光学、超导约瑟夫森结、腔量子电动力学、液体核磁共振、Kane的硅基半导体方案、富勒球、量子点和液氦表面电子，基本上涵盖了目前的量子计算物理实现的进展情况．     

Quantum phase transitions and vortex dynamics in superconducting networks

Josephson-junction arrays are ideal model systems to study a variety of phenomena such as phase transitions, frustration effects, vortex dynamics and chaos. In this review, we focus on the quantum dynamical properties of low-capacitance Josephson-junction arrays. The two characteristic energy scales in these systems are the Josephson energy, associated with the tunneling of Cooper pairs between neighboring islands, and the charging energy, which is the energy needed to add an extra electron charge to a neutral island. The phenomena described in this review stem from the competition between single-electron effects with the Josephson effect. They give rise to (quantum) superconductor–insulator phase transitions that occur when the ratio between the coupling constants is varied or when the external fields are varied. We describe the dependence of the various control parameters on the phase diagram and the transport properties close to the quantum critical points. On the superconducting side of the transition, vortices are the topological excitations. In low-capacitance junction arrays these vortices behave as massive particles that exhibit quantum behavior. We review the various quantum–vortex experiments and theoretical treatments of their quantum dynamics.     

Phase escape of current-biased Josephson junctions

Switching current distributions of an Nb/Al--AlO_x/Nb Josephson junction are measured in a temperature range from 25~mK to 800~mK. We analyse the phase escape properties by using the theory of Larkin and Ovchinnikov (LO) which takes discrete energy levels into account. Our results show that the phase escape can be well described by the LO approach for temperatures near and below the crossover from thermal activation to macroscopic quantum tunneling. These results are helpful for further study of macroscopic quantum phenomena in Josephson junctions where discrete energy levels need to be considered.     

Quantum jumps between macroscopic quantum states of a superconducting qubit coupled to a microscopic two-level system

We report the observation of quantum jumps between macroscopic quantum states in a superconducting phase qubit coupled to the two-level systems in the Josephson tunnel junction, and all key features of quantum jumps are confirmed in the experiments. Moreover, quantum jumps can be used to calibrate such two-level systems, which are believed to be one of the main decoherence sources in Josephson devices.     

One-shot quantum measurement using a hysteretic dc SQUID

We propose a single shot quantum measurement to determine the state of a Josephson charge quantum bit (qubit). The qubit is a Cooper pair box and the measuring device is a two junction superconducting quantum interference device (dc SQUID). This coupled system exhibits a close analogy with a Rydberg atom in a high Q cavity, except that in the present device we benefit from the additional feature of escape from the supercurrent state by macroscopic quantum tunneling, which provides the final readout. We test the feasibility of our idea against realistic experimental circuit parameters and by analyzing the phase fluctuations of the qubit.     

Dynamics of charge solitons in 1-D arrays of Josephson junctions

A 1-D array of Josephson coupled superconducting grains whose kinetic inductance dominates over the Josephson inductance is studied. We show that in this limit excess Cooper pairs in the array give rise to charge solitons via polarization of the grains. We analyze the dynamics of these macroscopic topological excitations, and find that their classical relativistic motion leads to saturation branches in the I-V characteristic of the array. When the dephasing length of the charge soliton is larger than the length of the array, we expect that it behaves quantum mechanically. We study the dynamics of quantum charge solitons in a ring-shaped array biased by an external flux, and show that they can exhibit phenomena like persistent current and coherent current oscillations.     

Toward a superconducting quantum computer: Harnessing macroscopic quantum coherence

Intensive research on the construction of superconducting quantum computers has produced numerous important achievements. The quantum bit (qubit), based on the Josephson junction, is at the heart of this research. This macroscopic system has the ability to control quantum coherence. This article reviews the current state of quantum computing as well as its history, and discusses its future. Although progress has been rapid, the field remains beset with unsolved issues, and there are still many new research opportunities open to physicists and engineers.     

Nanoscale superconducting quantum bits

Various physical systems were proposed for quantum information processing. Among those nanoscale devices appear most promising for integration in electronic circuits and large-scale applications. We discuss Josephson junction circuits in two regimes where they can be used for quantum computing. These systems combine intrinsic coherence of the superconducting state with control possibilities of single-charge circuits. In the regime where the typical charging energy dominates over the Josephson coupling, the low-temperature dynamics is limited to two states differing by a Cooper-pair charge on a superconducting island. In the opposite regime of prevailing Josephson energy, the phase (or flux) degree of freedom can be used to store and process quantum information. Under suitable conditions the system reduces to two states with different flux configurations. Several qubits can be joined together into a register. The quantum state of a qubit register can be manipulated by voltage and magnetic field pulses. The qubits are inevitably coupled to the environment. However, estimates of the phase coherence time show that many elementary quantum logic operations can be performed before the phase coherence is lost. In addition to manipulations, the final state of the qubits has to be read out. This quantum measurement process can be accomplished using a single-electron transistor for charge Josephson qubits, and a d.c.-SQUID for flux qubits. Recent successful experiments with superconducting qubits demonstrate for the first time quantum coherence in macroscopic systems.