Insider Brief:
- Parametric amplification is critical to achieve the high measurement speed and low error rates needed for quantum error correction, but often requires dedicated control electronics for microwave signal conditioning.
- New SHFPPC (Super High Frequency Parametric Pump Controller) offers users have access to a fully integrated solution, eliminating the need for home-built designs and automating a core piece of parameter tuning.
- The SHFPPC helps leverage the dedicated signal processing capabilities of the SHFQA Quantum Analyzer or SHFQC Qubit Controller. It can be integrated both into new or existing setups.
- Zurich Instruments offers cutting-edge instrumentation for scientists and technologists in advanced laboratories who are passionate about phenomena that are often notoriously difficult to measure. Its products and services include lock-in amplifiers, impedance analyzers, arbitrary waveform generators, and the first commercially available quantum computing control system.
When quantum computing is described in the popular press, the number of qubits is typically the only metric that’s used as a measurement standard. The qubit number is also — again by most of the people in the general audience — considered the key to the eventual success of quantum computing.
Most researchers know that qubit number, while obviously important, only scratches the surface of the engineering challenge of quantum computers. Fortunately, just as quantum researchers and engineers are making great strides on everything from quantum algorithms to improved quantum hardware, Zurich Instruments is making just as impressive steps toward better technology that is integral to quantum computing, such as qubit readout.
In an announcement, Zurich Instruments offer another one of those product innovations that will help quantum computing researchers dramatically improve their investigations by tapping the power of parametric amplification for qubit readout. Parametric amplification is necessary for high measurement speed and low error rates needed for quantum error correction. However, it usually requires dedicated control electronics for microwave signal conditioning.
Zurich Instruments’ new Super High Frequency Parametric Pump Controller — SHFPPC — changes all that.
In a completely new innovation, users can now access to a fully integrated solution, which means there’s no need for home-built designs and automating a core piece of parameter tuning.
First Commercial Solution
From the announcement, here’s a glimpse at the real importance of this approach.
“High-fidelity and fast qubit readout are critical for feedback operations in quantum computing. Near-quantum-limited parametric amplification is the state-of-the-art technology to maximize performance in these parameters, without compromising on quantum processor or algorithm design. In many implementations of parametric amplification, it is necessary to cancel the high-power pump tone required to drive these amplifiers in the readout return signal, to avoid degrading the performance of the subsequent amplification stages. Zurich Instruments offers the first commercial solution to that challenge, eliminating the need to design a home-built setup for tuning the amplitude and phase of a microwave tone.”
The company also adds that the approach offers another key advantage — it lowers the susceptibility to temperature drifts compared home-built solutions.
In sum, SHFPPC offers researchers an automated, application-specific solution that features:
- quick set up and operation
- rapid characterization
- stable operation of parametric amplifiers
How Does It Work?
Zurich Instruments offers a deeper look at the technical specs of the SHFPPC. From the announcement:
“The SHFPPC integrates the key functionality needed to control traveling-wave parametric amplifiers (TWPA) or lumped-element Josephson parametric amplifiers (JPA): microwave pump tone generation, return signal conditioning and amplification, and automatic cancellation of the residual pump tone in the return signal.”
The SHFPPC is equipped with either 2 or 4 readout channels. The customer is offered modularity, as well, because it pairs optimally with Zurich Instruments’ solutions for qubit readout in a Quantum Computing Control System (QCCS).
High-power and low-phase-noise microwave sources are offered to generate a pump tone from 1 to 12 GHz.
Stable operating conditions are necessary for quantum research and SHFPPC features an automatic leveling control unit that can make sure operating conditions are stable over long periods of time.
Some other important features: “The signal conditioning units feature an operating frequency band from 5 to 10 GHz and an automatic self-cancellation of the pump tone at the touch of a button. For rapid tune-up, characterization, or performance monitoring it is possible to generate a probe tone signal together with a pump tone signal on a single output port.”
System Integration
This is the newest product in Zurich Instruments’ highly regarded QCCS offer. It’s designed to fit in and enhance other elements of that QQC line.
For example, the company adds that “SHFPPC can help leverage the dedicated signal processing capabilities of the SHFQA Quantum Analyzer or SHFQC Qubit Controller. The SHFPPC can be integrated both into new or existing setups. Seamless control over a single software interface for the whole QCCS is guaranteed thanks to the LabOne software, the new LabOne QCCS Software, and the LabOne Python APIs, allowing for intuitive experiment tune-up and rapid automated calibration.”
To read more about Zurich Instruments go here.
To read more about the new Zurich Instruments SHFPPC Parametric Pump Controller, including the complete list of its specifications, visit www.zhinst.com and the SHFPPC instrument page. To arrange a live demo, write to [email protected].
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