Superconducting output amplifiers (OAs) including compound direct current-superconducting quantum interference devices (DC-SQUIDs) having both inputs driven by an input signal having the same phase and related methods are described. An example superconducting OA includes: (1) a first compound DC-SQUID having a first DC-SQUID and a second DC-SQUID, and (2) a second compound DC-SQUID having a third DC-SQUID and a fourth DC-SQUID. The superconducting OA includes a first driver configured to receive a single flux quantum (SFQ) pulse train and amplify a first set of SFQ pulses associated with the SFQ pulse train to generate a first signal for driving the first DC-SQUID and the second DC-SQUID. The superconducting OA further includes a second driver configured to receive the SFQ pulse train and amplify a second set of SFQ pulses associated with the SFQ pulse train to generate a second signal for driving the third DC-SQUID and the fourth DC-SQUID.

Superconducting output amplifiers (OAs) including compound direct current-superconducting quantum interference devices (DC-SQUIDs) having both inputs driven by an input signal having the same phase and related methods are described. An example superconducting OA includes: (1) a first compound DC-SQUID having a first DC-SQUID and a second DC-SQUID, and (2) a second compound DC-SQUID having a third DC-SQUID and a fourth DC-SQUID. The superconducting OA includes a first driver configured to receive a single flux quantum (SFQ) pulse train and amplify a first set of SFQ pulses associated with the SFQ pulse train to generate a first signal for driving the first DC-SQUID and the second DC-SQUID. The superconducting OA further includes a second driver configured to receive the SFQ pulse train and amplify a second set of SFQ pulses associated with the SFQ pulse train to generate a second signal for driving the third DC-SQUID and the fourth DC-SQUID.

A Josephson parametric device is presented, which includes an input port, an output port, and a signal path between the input port and the output port. The signal path includes a first section coupled to the input port and having a first passband, a second section coupled to the output port and having a second passband and a Josephson junction coupling element for parametric coupling between the first and second section. The Josephson junction coupling element is coupled to and interposed between the first section and the second section. The Josephson junction coupling element is configured such that, in response to the input port receiving a first signal at a first frequency lying within the first passband and the Josephson junction coupling element receiving a pump tone, the Josephson junction coupling element converts the first signal into a second signal with a second frequency lying within the second passband.

A Josephson parametric device is presented, which includes an input port, an output port, and a signal path between the input port and the output port. The signal path includes a first section coupled to the input port and having a first passband, a second section coupled to the output port and having a second passband and a Josephson junction coupling element for parametric coupling between the first and second section. The Josephson junction coupling element is coupled to and interposed between the first section and the second section. The Josephson junction coupling element is configured such that, in response to the input port receiving a first signal at a first frequency lying within the first passband and the Josephson junction coupling element receiving a pump tone, the Josephson junction coupling element converts the first signal into a second signal with a second frequency lying within the second passband.

Optimally detuned parametric amplification amplifies a signal in a resonator that is driven off-resonance, with respect to a signal mode, using a far-detuned pump. This pump establishes a parametric drive strength, and is “far-detuned” in that its detuning from the signal mode is greater than the drive strength. The amplitude and frequency of the pump are chosen so that the eigenfrequency of the resulting Bogoliobov mode matches a photonic loss rate of the Bogoliobov mode. In this case, a signal coupled into the Bogoliobov mode will be amplified with a gain that is broader and flatter than that achieved with conventional parametric amplification, and is not limited by a gain-bandwidth product. Optimally detuned parametric amplification may be used for degenerate or non-degenerate parametric amplification, and may be used to amplify microwaves, light, electronic signals, acoustic waves, or any other type of signal that can be amplified using conventional parametric amplification.

Optimally detuned parametric amplification amplifies a signal in a resonator that is driven off-resonance, with respect to a signal mode, using a far-detuned pump. This pump establishes a parametric drive strength, and is “far-detuned” in that its detuning from the signal mode is greater than the drive strength. The amplitude and frequency of the pump are chosen so that the eigenfrequency of the resulting Bogoliobov mode matches a photonic loss rate of the Bogoliobov mode. In this case, a signal coupled into the Bogoliobov mode will be amplified with a gain that is broader and flatter than that achieved with conventional parametric amplification, and is not limited by a gain-bandwidth product. Optimally detuned parametric amplification may be used for degenerate or non-degenerate parametric amplification, and may be used to amplify microwaves, light, electronic signals, acoustic waves, or any other type of signal that can be amplified using conventional parametric amplification.

A superconducting quantum mechanical device includes first, second, third and fourth Josephson junctions connected in a bridge circuit having first, second and third resonance eigenmodes. The device also includes first and second capacitor pads. The first and second capacitor pads and the bridge circuit form a superconducting qubit having a resonance frequency corresponding to the first resonance eigenmode. The device further includes first and second resonator sections. The first and second resonator sections and the bridge circuit form a resonator having a resonance frequency corresponding to the second resonance eigenmode. The device also includes a source of magnetic flux arranged proximate the bridge circuit. The source of magnetic flux is configured to provide, during operation, a magnetic flux through the bridge circuit to cause coupling between the first, second and third resonance eigenmodes when the third resonance eigenmode is excited.

A superconducting quantum mechanical device includes first, second, third and fourth Josephson junctions connected in a bridge circuit having first, second and third resonance eigenmodes. The device also includes first and second capacitor pads. The first and second capacitor pads and the bridge circuit form a superconducting qubit having a resonance frequency corresponding to the first resonance eigenmode. The device further includes first and second resonator sections. The first and second resonator sections and the bridge circuit form a resonator having a resonance frequency corresponding to the second resonance eigenmode. The device also includes a source of magnetic flux arranged proximate the bridge circuit. The source of magnetic flux is configured to provide, during operation, a magnetic flux through the bridge circuit to cause coupling between the first, second and third resonance eigenmodes when the third resonance eigenmode is excited.

A parametric amplifier for amplifying an input signal includes a resonator comprising a Josephson junction. The Josephson junction comprises a first superconductor component, a second superconductor component and a semiconductor component. The semiconductor component is configured to enable coupling of the first and second superconductor components. The parametric amplifier further comprises a gate electrode configured to apply an electrostatic field to the semiconductor component of the Josephson junction for tuning the parametric amplifier. Such parametric amplifiers are useful for amplifying signals in the microwave frequency range. Tuning the junction by electrostatic gating may allow for improved scalability compared to tuning using magnetic flux. Also provided are the use of the parametric amplifier to amplify a signal; and a method of amplifying a signal.

A parametric amplifier for amplifying an input signal includes a resonator comprising a Josephson junction. The Josephson junction comprises a first superconductor component, a second superconductor component and a semiconductor component. The semiconductor component is configured to enable coupling of the first and second superconductor components. The parametric amplifier further comprises a gate electrode configured to apply an electrostatic field to the semiconductor component of the Josephson junction for tuning the parametric amplifier. Such parametric amplifiers are useful for amplifying signals in the microwave frequency range. Tuning the junction by electrostatic gating may allow for improved scalability compared to tuning using magnetic flux. Also provided are the use of the parametric amplifier to amplify a signal; and a method of amplifying a signal.