DC-operated Josephson junction arrays as a cryogenic on-chip microwave  measurement platform

[en] Providing radio frequency (RF) signals to circuits working in cryogenic conditions requires bulky and expensive transmission cabling interfacing specialized RF electronics anchored at room temperature. Superconducting Josephson junction arrays (JJAs) can change this paradigm by placing the RF source and detector inside the chip. In this work, we demonstrate that DC-biased JJAs can emit signals in the C-band frequency spectrum and beyond. We fabricate reproducible JJAs comprised of amorphous MoGe or NbTiN superconducting islands and metallic Au weak links. Temperature, magnetic fields, applied currents, and device design are explored to control the operation of the RF sources, while we also identify important features that affect the ideal source behavior. Combined with the proven ability of these JJAs to detect microwave radiation, these sources allow us to propose a fully DC-operated cryogenic on-chip measurement platform that is a viable alternative to the high-frequency circuitry currently required for several quantum applications.

Research Center/Unit :

Q-MAT - Quantum Materials - ULiège

Disciplines :

Physics

Author, co-author :

Vervoort, Senne

Nulens, Lukas

Davi A. D. Chaves

Dausy, Heleen

Reniers, Stijn

Abouelela, Mohamed

Ivo P. C. Cools

Silhanek, Alejandro ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de physique > Physique expérimentale des matériaux nanostructurés

Van Bael, Margriet J.

Raes, Bart

Van de Vondel, Joris

Language :

English

Title :

DC-operated Josephson junction arrays as a cryogenic on-chip microwave measurement platform

Publication date :

12 July 2025

Journal title :

Communications Physics

eISSN :

2399-3650

Publisher :

Nature, United Kingdom

Volume :

Pages :

292

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Funders :

F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique

Available on ORBi :

since 02 August 2025

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