It is advantageous for any quantum processor to support different classes of two-qubit quantum logic gates when compiling quantum circuits, a property that is typically not seen withexisting platforms. In particular, access to a gate set that includes support for the CZ-type, the iSWAP-type, and the SWAP-type families of gates, renders conversions between these gate families unnecessary during compilation as any two-qubit Clifford gate can be executed using at most one two-qubit gate from this set, plus additional single-qubit gates. We experimentally demonstrate that a SWAP gate can be decomposed into one iSWAP gate followed by one CZ gate, affirming a more efficient compilation strategy over the conventional approach that relies on three iSWAP or three CZ gates to replace a SWAP gate. Our implementation makes use of a superconducting quantum processor design based on fixed-frequency transmon qubits coupled together by a parametrically modulated tunable transmon coupler, extending this platform’s native gate set so that any two-qubit Clifford unitary matrix can be realized using no more than two two-qubit gates and single-qubit gates.
Detecting quasiparticle tunneling events in superconducting circuits provides information about the population and dynamics of non-equilibrium quasiparticles. Such events can be detectedby monitoring changes in the frequency of an offset-charge-sensitive superconducting qubit. This monitoring has so far been performed by Ramsey interferometry assisted by a readout resonator. Here, we demonstrate a quasiparticle detector based on a superconducting qubit directly coupled to a waveguide. We directly measure quasiparticle number parity on the qubit island by probing the coherent scattering of a microwave tone, offering simplicity of operation, fast detection speed, and a large signal-to-noise ratio. We observe tunneling rates between 0.8 and 7 s−1, depending on the average occupation of the detector qubit, and achieve a temporal resolution below 10 μs without a quantum-limited amplifier. Our simple and efficient detector lowers the barrier to perform studies of quasiparticle population and dynamics, facilitating progress in fundamental science, quantum information processing, and sensing.
Quantum processors require a signal-delivery architecture with high addressability (low crosstalk) to ensure high performance already at the scale of dozens of qubits. Signal crosstalkcauses inadvertent driving of quantum gates, which will adversely affect quantum-gate fidelities in scaled-up devices. Here, we demonstrate packaged flip-chip superconducting quantum processors with signal-crosstalk performance competitive with those reported in other platforms. For capacitively coupled qubit-drive lines, we find on-resonant crosstalk better than -27 dB (average -37 dB). For inductively coupled magnetic-flux-drive lines, we find less than 0.13 % direct-current flux crosstalk (average 0.05 %). These observed crosstalk levels are adequately small and indicate a decreasing trend with increasing distance, which is promising for further scaling up to larger numbers of qubits. We discuss the implication of our results for the design of a low-crosstalk, on-chip signal delivery architecture, including the influence of a shielding tunnel structure, potential sources of crosstalk, and estimation of crosstalk-induced qubit-gate error in scaled-up quantum processors.
We investigate the required embedding networks to enable ideal performance for a high-gain travelling-wave parametric amplifier (TWPA) based on three-wave mixing (3WM). By embeddingthe TWPA in a network of superconducting diplexers and hybrid couplers, the amplifier can deliver a high stable gain with near-quantum-limited noise performance, with suppressed gain ripples, while eliminating the reflections of the signal, the idler and the pump as well as the transmission of all unwanted tones. We demonstrate a configuration where the amplifier can isolate. We call this technique Wideband Idler Filtering (WIF). The theory is supported by simulations that predict over 20 dB gain in the band 4-8 GHz with 10 dB isolation for a single amplifier and 30 dB isolation for two cascaded amplifiers. We demonstrate how the WIF-TWPAs can be used to construct switchable isolators with over 40 dB isolation over the full band 4-8 GHz. We also propose an alternative design where the WIF can be implemented without diplexers. Finally we show how, with small modifications, the technique can be implemented for four-wave mixing (4WM) TWPAs as well.