The disclosure relates to a quantum detector configured to receive a microwave signal from a microwave source. The quantum detector comprises a main element formed by a main Josephson junction and a Josephson transmission line which is coupled to the main element for outputting a measurement signal. The Josephson transmission line comprises at least a first set of JTL elements and a second set of JTL elements. The capacitively shunted Josephson junction in each JTL element in the first set is weakly damped, and the JTL element in the second set are more strongly damped than the JTL elements in the first set.

Edge-sensitive, state-based single flux quantum (SFQ) based circuitry and related methods convert return-to-zero (RZ) or non-return-to-zero (NRZ) encoded SFQ-pulse-based signals to bilevel NRZ phase signals that can subsequently be converted to bilevel voltage signals by an output amplifier (OA). The SFQ-based circuitry can be integrated with a current amplification stage of a driver that can be coupled to a stage of the OA. The SFQ-based circuitry can be made to be compatible with RQL-encoded input signals that can be either RZ or NRZ. The SFQ-based circuitry can thus be compatible with both wave-pipelined (WPL) and phase-mode (PML) RQL circuitry. Because the SFQ-based circuitry and related methods are edge-sensitive and state-based, they can function at system clock rates in excess of 1 GHz with reduced glitches and improved bit error rates as compared to other superconducting RZ-NRZ conversion circuitry and methods.

In some embodiments, a superconducting parametric amplification neural network (SPANN) includes neurons that operate in the analog domain, and a fanout network coupling the neurons that operates in the digital domain. Each neuron is provided one or more input currents having a resolution of several bits. The neuron weights the currents, sums the weighted currents with an optional bias or threshold current, then applies a nonlinear activation function to the result. The nonlinear function is implemented using a quantum flux parametron (QFP), thereby simultaneously amplifying and digitizing the output current signal. The digitized output of some or all neurons in each layer is provided to the next layer using a fanout network that operates to preserve the digital information held in the current.

A system comprises pulse generation and measurement circuitry comprising a plurality of pulse generator circuits and a plurality of ports, and management circuitry. The management circuitry is operable to analyze a specification of a controlled system and controlled elements that comprises a definition of a controlled element of the control system, and a definition of one or more pulses available for transmission by the control system. The management circuitry is operable to configure, based on the specification, the pulse generation and measurement circuitry to: generate the one or more pulses via one or more of the plurality of pulse generator circuits; and output the one or more pulses to the controlled element via one or more of the plurality of ports.

A system comprises pulse generation and measurement circuitry comprising a plurality of pulse generator circuits and a plurality of ports, and management circuitry. The management circuitry is operable to analyze a specification of a controlled system and controlled elements that comprises a definition of a controlled element of the control system, and a definition of one or more pulses available for transmission by the control system. The management circuitry is operable to configure, based on the specification, the pulse generation and measurement circuitry to: generate the one or more pulses via one or more of the plurality of pulse generator circuits; and output the one or more pulses to the controlled element via one or more of the plurality of ports.

In a general aspect, a gate is formed for a quantum processor. In some implementations, an arbitrary program is received. The arbitrary program includes a first sequence of quantum logic gates, which includes a parametric XY gate. A native gate set is identified, which includes a set of quantum logic gates associated with a quantum processing unit. A second sequence of quantum logic gates corresponding to the parametric XY gate is identified, which includes a parametric quantum logic gate. Each of the quantum logic gates in the second sequence is selected from the native gate set. A native program is generated. The native program includes a third sequence of quantum logic gates. The third sequence of quantum logic gates corresponds to the first sequence of quantum logic gates and includes the second sequence of quantum logic gates. The native program is provided for execution by the quantum processing unit.

In a general aspect, a gate is formed for a quantum processor. In some implementations, an arbitrary program is received. The arbitrary program includes a first sequence of quantum logic gates, which includes a parametric XY gate. A native gate set is identified, which includes a set of quantum logic gates associated with a quantum processing unit. A second sequence of quantum logic gates corresponding to the parametric XY gate is identified, which includes a parametric quantum logic gate. Each of the quantum logic gates in the second sequence is selected from the native gate set. A native program is generated. The native program includes a third sequence of quantum logic gates. The third sequence of quantum logic gates corresponds to the first sequence of quantum logic gates and includes the second sequence of quantum logic gates. The native program is provided for execution by the quantum processing unit.

A method of generating a randomized benchmarking protocol includes providing a randomly generated plurality of Hadamard gates; applying the Hadamard gates to a plurality of qubits; and generating randomly a plurality of Hadamard-free Clifford circuits. Each of the plurality of Hadamard-free Clifford circuits is generated by at least randomly generating a uniformly distributed phase (P) gate, and randomly generating a uniformly distributed linear Boolean invertible matrix of conditional NOT (CNOT) gate, and combining the P and CNOT gates to form each of the plurality of Hadamard-free Clifford circuits. The method also includes combining each of the plurality of Hadamard-free Clifford circuits with corresponding each of the plurality of Hadamard gates to form a sequence of alternating Hadamard-free Clifford-Hadamard pairs circuit to form the randomized benchmarking protocol; and measuring noise in a quantum mechanical processor using the randomized benchmarking protocol.

A method of generating a randomized benchmarking protocol includes providing a randomly generated plurality of Hadamard gates; applying the Hadamard gates to a plurality of qubits; and generating randomly a plurality of Hadamard-free Clifford circuits. Each of the plurality of Hadamard-free Clifford circuits is generated by at least randomly generating a uniformly distributed phase (P) gate, and randomly generating a uniformly distributed linear Boolean invertible matrix of conditional NOT (CNOT) gate, and combining the P and CNOT gates to form each of the plurality of Hadamard-free Clifford circuits. The method also includes combining each of the plurality of Hadamard-free Clifford circuits with corresponding each of the plurality of Hadamard gates to form a sequence of alternating Hadamard-free Clifford-Hadamard pairs circuit to form the randomized benchmarking protocol; and measuring noise in a quantum mechanical processor using the randomized benchmarking protocol.

Techniques related to vertical silicon-on-metal superconducting quantum interference devices and method of fabricating the same are provided. Also provided are associated flux control and biasing circuitry. A superconductor structure can comprise a silicon-on-metal substrate that can comprise a first superconducting layer, comprising a first superconducting material, between a first crystalline silicon layer and a second crystalline silicon layer. The superconducting structure can also comprise a first via comprising a first Josephson junction and a second via comprising a second Josephson junction. The first via and the second via can be formed between the first superconducting layer and a second superconducting layer, comprising a second superconducting material. An electrical loop around a defined area of the second crystalline silicon layer can comprise the first via comprising the first Josephson junction, the second via comprising the second Josephson junction, the first superconducting layer, and the second superconducting layer.