Phil J. Meeson

The Effect of Parameter Variations on the Performance of the Josephson Travelling Wave Parametric Amplifiers

  1. Searbhán Ó Peatáin,
  2. Tom Dixon,
  3. Phil J. Meeson,
  4. Jonathan Williams,
  5. Sergey Kafanov,
  6. and Yuri A. Pashkin
We have simulated the performance of the Josephson Travelling Wave Parametric Amplifier (JTWPA) based on the one-dimensional array of RF SQUIDs. Unlike the ideal model in which all
SQUIDs are assumed to be identical, we allowed variation of the device parameters such as the geometric inductance of the SQUID loop, capacitance to ground, Josephson junction capacitance and critical current. Our simulations confirm the negative effects of variation of the device parameters leading to microwave reflections between individual cells and the shift of the flux bias from the optimal point. The strongest effect is caused by the variation of the geometric inductance as it varies both the wave impedance and the flux bias. The most detrimental, however, are point defects, such as shorts to ground making the circuit opaque to microwaves. This imposes stringent requirements on the fabrication process making it extremely challenging. We highlight the strict limitations on parameter spread in these devices while also discussing the robustness of the scheme to variation
arxiv pdf

Capturing Complex Behaviour in Josephson Travelling Wave Parametric Amplifiers

  1. Tom Dixon,
  2. Jacob W. Dunstan,
  3. George B. Long,
  4. Jonathan M. Williams,
  5. Phil J. Meeson,
  6. and Connor D. Shelly
We present an analysis of wave-mixing in recently developed Josephson Travelling Wave Parametric Amplifiers (JTWPAs). Circuit simulations performed using WRspice show the full behaviour
of the JTWPA allowing propagation of all tones. The Coupled Mode Equations (CMEs) containing only pump, signal, and idler propagation are shown to be insufficient to completely capture complex mixing behaviour in the JTWPA. Extension of the CMEs through additional state vectors in the analytic solutions allows closer agreement with WRspice. We consider an ordered framework for the systematic inclusion of extended eigenmodes and make a qualitative comparison with WRspice at each step. The agreement between the two methods validates both approaches and provides insight into the operation of the JTWPA. We show that care should be taken when using the CMEs and propose that WRspice should be used as a design tool for non-linear superconducting circuits such as the JTWPA.
arxiv pdf