Three-Wave Mixing Kinetic Inductance Traveling-Wave Amplifier with Near-Quantum-Limited Noise Performance

We present a theoretical model and experimental characterization of microwave kinetic inductance traveling-wave (KIT) amplifier, whose noise performance, measured by shot-noise tunnel junction (SNTJ), approaches the quantum limit. Biased with dc current, this amplifier operates in three-wave mixing fashion, thereby reducing several orders magnitude power pump tone associated parasitic heating compared to conventional four-wave KIT devices. It consists 50Ω artificial transmission line dispersion allows for controlled amplification bandwidth. measure 16.5−1.3+1 dB gain across 2 GHz bandwidth an input 1 compression −63 dBm, qualitative agreement theory. Using framework that accounts SNTJ-generated entering both signal idler ports we system-added chain integrates as first amplifier. This noise, 3.1±0.6 quanta (equivalent 0.66±0.15 K) between 3.5 5.5 GHz, is one device replacing SNTJ would see. therefore suitable read large arrays detectors promising multiplexed superconducting qubit readout.4 MoreReceived 30 June 2020Revised November 2020Accepted 8 December 2020DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PRXQuantum.2.010302Published American Physical Society under terms Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution work must maintain attribution author(s) published article's title, journal citation, DOI.Published SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasOptical parametric oscillators & amplifiersOptical information processingQuantum fluctuations noiseQuantum architectures platformsQuantum measurementsSuperconductivityPhysical SystemsSuperconductorsTraveling wavesTechniquesMicrowave techniquesQuantum InformationNonlinear Dynamics