SUPERCONDUCTING PHASE-SHIFT SYSTEM

[0001] The present invention relates generally to superconducting circuits, and more particularly to a superconducting phase-shift system.

[0002] Superconducting digital technology has provided computing and/or communications resources that benefit from unprecedented high speed, low power dissipation, and low operating temperature. Many quantum information processing implementations, including superconducting and semiconducting qubits, require signals (e.g., shaped microwave pulses) for both qubit control and readout. Scaling such systems to a useful integration complexity typically requires a toolbox for locally steering and manipulating signals on-chip in a cryogenic environment. As an example, the system can include circuit components for adjusting characteristics of the signals, such as a phase or other characteristics of the signals that implement qubit control and readout. Some variable phase shift devices can be implemented with voltage variable capacitors (i.e., varactors). However, although some varactors are compatible with cryogenic operation, they typically require control voltages that may range from 1-10 volts, which cannot easily be generated by single flux quantum (SFQ) circuits.

[0003] One example includes a superconducting phase-shift system. The system includes an all-pass filter comprising at least one variable inductance element. The all-pass filter can be configured to receive an input signal and to provide the input signal as an output signal that is phase-shifted relative to the input signal based on a variable inductance provided by each of the at least one variable inductance element. The system can further include a phase controller configured to provide a phase-control current to control the variable inductance of the at least one variable inductance element based on a characteristic of the phase-control current.

[0004] Another example includes a method for phase-shifting an input signal via an all-pass filter. The method includes receiving the input signal at an input of the all-pass filter. The method also includes providing a phase-control current from a phase controller onto a control line that is inductively coupled to a first variable inductance element that is coupled to the input and to a second variable inductance element that is coupled to an output of the all-pass filter. The method also includes adjusting an amplitude of the phase-control current to control a variable inductance associated with each of the first and second variable inductance elements. The method further includes providing an output signal at the output that is phase-shifted relative to the input signal based on the variable inductance of the first and second variable inductance elements.

[0005] Another example includes a superconducting phase-shift system. The system includes an all-pass filter comprising at least one variable inductance element. Each of the at least one variable inductance element can be configured as at least one Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) each comprising a pair of Josephson junctions. The all-pass filter can be configured to receive an input signal and to provide the input signal as an output signal that is phase-shifted relative to the input signal based on a variable inductance provided by each of the at least one variable inductance element. The system can further include a phase controller configured to provide a phase-control current at a variable amplitude to control the variable inductance of the at least one variable inductance element. The phase-control current can be inductively coupled to each of the at least one SQUID in each of the at least one variable inductance element.

[0013] The present disclosure relates generally to superconducting circuits, and more particularly to a superconducting phase-shift system. A superconducting phase-shift system can include an all-pass filter that receives a signal (e.g., a microwave signal) at an input and provides an output signal that is a phase-shifted version of the input signal at an output. The superconducting phase-shift system includes an all-pass filter that includes at least one variable inductance element that can be configured, for example, as a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID), such as including a parallel pair of Josephson junctions. As an example, the all-pass filter can include a first variable inductance element coupled to the input and a second variable inductance element that is coupled to the output. The variable inductance element(s) are configured to provide variable inductance to the input signal in generating the phase-shifted output signal in response to a characteristic of a phase-control current. For example, the phase-control current can be generated by a phase controller that provides the phase-control current at an amplitude that is variable to result in the variable inductance. The phase-control current can be inductively coupled to the variable inductance element(s).

[0014] As an example, the all-pass filter can include a capacitor that separates the input and the output, and can include a first variable inductance element coupled to the input and a second variable inductance element coupled to the output. The first and second variable inductance elements can each be configured as a pair of SQUIDs that are each inductively coupled to a conductor on which the phase-control current is provided. The SQUIDs can each include a pair of Josephson junctions which can be asymmetric with respect to critical current. Thus, variations in amplitude of the phase-control current can change a magnetic flux associated with each of the SQUIDs (e.g., approximately equally), such that the changes in magnetic flux can provide a variable inductance of the SQUIDs to provide a phase change of the input signal that is received at the input, and which is thus provided at the output of the superconducting phase-shift system.

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a superconducting phase-shift system 10. The superconducting phase-shift system 10 can be implemented in any of a variety of superconducting circuit systems to provide phase-control of an input signal SIG_MW. As an example, the input signal SIG_MW can be a microwave signal that is implemented in a control scheme for a quantum circuit, such as performing a gate or a readout operation on a qubit. As another example, the input signal SIG_MW can be a signal pulse or another type of signal. The superconducting phase-shift system 10 provides an output signal SIG_SH that can correspond to a phase-shifted version of the input signal SIG_MW.

[0016] The superconducting phase-shift system 10 includes an all-pass filter 12 and a phase controller 14. The all-pass filter 12 is configured to provide a phase-shift of the input signal SIG_MW, such as in a given range of frequencies of the input signal SIG_MW. The all-pass filter 12 includes at least one variable inductance element 16 that is responsive to a phase-control current I_PH that is generated by the phase controller 14. As an example, the phase-control current I_PH is inductively coupled to the variable inductance element(s) 16, such that an amplitude of the phase-control current I_PH can control a magnitude of inductance provided by the variable inductance element(s) 16. For example, the phase controller 14 can be configured as a current source (e.g., AC or DC), or as an SFQ pulse generator. The variable inductance element(s) 16 can be coupled to an input and/or an output of the all-pass filter 12, such that the inductance that is provided by the variable inductance element(s) 16 can provide a phase-shift of the input signal SIG_MW. Thus, the output signal SIG_SH can be provided as a phase-shifted version of the input signal SIG_MW. Furthermore, by varying the amplitude of the phase-control current I_PH, the inductance provided by the variable inductance element(s) 16 can likewise be varied to adjust the amount of phase-shift provided by the all-pass filter 12 with respect to the input signal SIG_MW.

[0017] As an example, the all-pass filter 12 can include a capacitor that separates an input that receives the input signal SIG_MW and an output that provides the output signal SIG_SH. The variable inductance element(s) 16 can include a first variable inductance element coupled to the input and a second variable inductance element coupled to the output. The first and second variable inductance elements can each be configured as a pair of Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) that are each inductively coupled to a conductor on which the phase-control current I_PH is provided. The SQUIDs can each include a pair of Josephson junctions that can be asymmetric with respect to critical current. Thus, variations in amplitude of the phase-control current I_PH can change a magnetic flux associated with each of the SQUIDs (e.g., approximately equally), such that the changes in magnetic flux can provide a variable inductance of the SQUIDs to provide a phase change of the input signal SIG_MW that is received at the input, and which is thus provided as the output signal SIG_SH of the superconducting phase-shift system.

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates another example of a superconducting phase-shift system 50. The superconducting phase-shift system 50 can correspond to the superconducting phase-shift system 10 in the example of FIG. 1, and can thus be implemented in a variety of superconducting circuit systems to provide phase-control of an input signal SIG_MW to provide a phase-shifted output signal SIG_SH.

[0019] The superconducting phase-shift system 50 includes an all-pass filter 52 and a phase controller 54. The all-pass filter 52 is configured to provide a phase-shift of the input signal SIG_MW that is received at an input 56, such as in a given range of frequencies of the input signal SIG_MW, to provide the phase-shifted output signal SIG_SH from an output 58. In the example of FIG. 2, the input 56 and the output 58 are coupled via a capacitor C₁. The all-pass filter 52 includes an input variable inductance element 60 that is coupled to the input 56 via an inductor L₁, and an output variable inductance element 62 that is coupled to the output 58 via an inductor L₂. A capacitor C₂ interconnects the input and output variable inductance elements 60 and 62 to a low-voltage rail, demonstrated in the example of FIG. 2 as ground. The capacitor C₂, along with the capacitor C₁ and the inductors L₁ and L₂, is configured to set the characteristics of the all-pass filter 52 (e.g., the center frequency and impedance).

[0020] Each of the input and output variable inductance elements 60 and 62 are responsive to a phase-control current I_PH that is generated by the phase controller 54. As an example, each of the input and output variable inductance elements 60 and 62 can include at least one SQUID comprising an inductor and a parallel pair of Josephson junctions. For example, the inductor of the at least one SQUID in each of the input and output can be magnetically coupled to an inductor on a control line on which the phase-control current I_PH is provided. Therefore, the phase-control current I_PH can be inductively coupled to each of the input and output variable inductance elements 60 and 62.

[0021] An amplitude of the phase-control current I_PH can control a magnitude of inductance provided by the input and output variable inductance elements 60 and 62. For example, by varying the amplitude of the phase-control current I_PH, the inductance provided by the input and output variable inductance elements 60 and 62 can likewise be varied to adjust the amount of phase-shift provided by the all-pass filter 52 with respect to the input signal SIG_MW. As an example, the phase-control current I_PH can provide a bias current with respect to the parallel pair of Josephson junctions in each of the at least one SQUID in each of the input and output variable inductance elements 60 and 62. Therefore, the phase-control current I_PH can be varied to adjust a magnetic flux applied to each of the at least one SQUID in each of the input and output variable inductance elements 60 and 62. Accordingly, the all-pass filter 52 can achieve significant variable phase-shift capability (e.g., up to approximately 90° or more) at a predetermined center frequency of the input signal SIG_MW, with diminishing phase-shift as the frequency of the input signal SIG_MW deviates from the center frequency. The center frequency can be tuned, for example, based on a capacitance of the capacitors C₁ and C₂ and/or an inductance of each of the inductors L₁ and L₂. Therefore, the superconducting phase-shift system 50 can be implemented as a compact, lumped-element device to provide phase-shift of a signal (e.g., a microwave signal) based on implementing variable inductance, as opposed to typical phase-shift systems that implement distributed phase-shift elements along the length of a transmission line, or that implement variable capacitance in each of a plurality of stages.

[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates another example of a superconducting phase-shift system 100. The superconducting phase-shift system 100 can correspond to the superconducting phase-shift system 10 and/or the superconducting phase-shift system 50 in the respective examples of FIGS. 1 and 2, and can thus be implemented in a variety of superconducting circuit systems to provide phase-control of an input signal SIG_MW to provide a phase-shifted output signal SIG_SH.

[0023] The superconducting phase-shift system 100 includes an all-pass filter 102 and a phase controller 104. The all-pass filter 102 is configured to provide a phase-shift of the input signal SIG_MW that is received at an input 106, such as in a given range of frequencies of the input signal SIG_MW, to provide the phase-shifted output signal SIG_SH from an output 108. In the example of FIG. 3, the input 106 and the output 108 are coupled via a capacitor C₁. The all-pass filter 102 includes an input variable inductance element 110 that is coupled to the input 106 via an inductor L₁, and an output variable inductance element 112 that is coupled to the output 108 via an inductor L₂.

[0024] The input variable inductance element 110 is demonstrated in the example of FIG. 3 as a first SQUID 114 and a second SQUID 116 that each include a parallel pair of Josephson junctions JJ₁ and JJ₂ and a pair of inductors L₁₁ and L₁₂. The first SQUID 114 is coupled to the inductor L₁ and the second SQUID 116 is coupled to a capacitor C₂ that interconnects the input and output variable inductance elements 110 and 112 to ground. The first and second SQUIDs 114 and 116 are connected in series via a conductive coupling between the respective inductors L₁₁ and L₁₂ in each of the first and second SQUIDs 114 and 116. Similarly, the output variable inductance element 112 is demonstrated in the example of FIG. 3 as a first SQUID 118 and a second SQUID 120 that each include a parallel pair of Josephson junctions JJ₁ and JJ₂ and a pair of inductors L₁₁ and L₁₂. The first SQUID 118 is coupled to the inductor L₂ and the second SQUID 120 is coupled to the capacitor C₂. The first and second SQUIDs 118 and 120 are connected in series via a conductive coupling between the respective inductors L₁₁ and L₁₂ in each of the first and second SQUIDs 118 and 120.

[0025] The phase controller 104 is configured to generate a phase-control current I_PH on a control line 122 that includes a plurality of inductors L₂₁ and L₂₂. Each of the inductors L₂₁ is magnetically coupled with a respective inductor L₁₁ in each of the four SQUIDs 114, 116, 118, and 120, and each of the inductors L₂₂ is magnetically coupled with a respective inductor L₁₂ in each of the four SQUIDs 114, 116, 118, and 120. Therefore, the phase-control current I_PH is inductively coupled to each of the SQUIDs 114, 116, 118, and 120, such that the phase-control current I_PH induces a bias current in each of the SQUIDs 114, 116, 118, and 120. As a result, each of the SQUIDs 114, 116, 118, and 120 exhibit a magnetic flux in response to the phase-control current I_PH. Accordingly, an amplitude of the phase-control current I_PH can control a magnitude of inductance provided by the input and output variable inductance elements 110 and 112. For example, by varying the amplitude of the phase-control current I_PH, the inductance provided by each of the SQUIDs 114, 116, 118, and 120, and thus each of the input and output variable inductance elements 110 and 112, can likewise be varied to adjust the amount of phase-shift provided by the all-pass filter 102 with respect to the input signal SIG_MW.

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates an example diagram of a SQUID 150. The SQUID 150 can correspond to one of the SQUIDs 114, 116, 118, and 120 in the example of FIG. 3. Thus, reference is to be made to the example of FIG. 3 in the following description of the example of FIG. 4.

[0027] The SQUID 150 includes the parallel pair of Josephson junctions JJ₁ and JJ₂, as well as the inductors L₁₁ and L₁₂ that are magnetically coupled to the inductors L₂₁ and L₂₂ that are provided on the conductor on which the phase-control current I_PH is provided. Therefore, the phase-control current I_PH can provide a bias current with respect to the parallel pair of Josephson junctions JJ₁ and JJ₂ in the SQUID 150. Thus, the Josephson junctions JJ₁ and JJ₂ and the inductors L₁₁ and L₁₂ are enclosed in a loop having a linear inductance due to the inductors L₁₁ and L₁₂ that is smaller than the inductance due to the Josephson junctions JJ₁ and JJ₂. In the example of FIG. 4, the SQUID 150 encloses a magnetic flux Φ_X that is supplied to the SQUID 150 via the mutually-coupled flux-line (e.g., the control line 122) carrying the phase-control current I_PH. As an example, the parallel pair of Josephson junctions JJ₁ and JJ₂ can be asymmetric with respect to each other, such that one of the Josephson junctions JJ₁ and JJ₂ has a greater critical current than the other.

[0028] For example, the Josephson junction JJ₁ can have a critical current of approximately 1.5 μA and the Josephson junction JJ₂ can have a critical current of approximately 2.5 μA. Therefore, a total critical current of the SQUID 150 can depend on the magnetic flux Φ_X in a periodic fashion, with the total critical current remaining greater than zero in response to the magnetic flux Φ_x being approximately equal to a flux quantum Φ₀ divided by two based on asymmetric critical currents of the Josephson junctions JJ₁ and JJ₂. For example, based on the above example critical currents of the respective Josephson junctions JJ₁ and JJ₂, the total critical current of the SQUID 150 can vary between approximately 4 μA at a maximum and approximately 1 μA at a minimum, such as to provide an inductance from a minimum of approximately 82 pH at Φ_x=0 to a maximum of approximately 330 pH at Φ_x=Φ₀/2.

[0029] The superconducting phase-shift system 100 and the SQUID 150 demonstrated in the respective examples of FIGS. 3 and 4 provide an example of an all-pass filter-based phase-shift system for a signal that implements variable inductance in a compact lumped-element arrangement. It is to be understood that the superconducting phase-shift system 100 is not limited to the example of FIG. 3. As an example, while the example of FIG. 3 demonstrates four SQUIDs 114, 116, 118, and 120, the all-pass filter 102 could instead include a different number of SQUIDs in each of the input and output variable inductance elements 110 and 112. For example, each of the input and output variable inductance elements 110 and 112 could instead include a single SQUID, or could include multiple SQUIDs or SQUID pairs, such as operating based on different respective phase-control currents. Additionally, the superconducting phase-shift system 100 could include a different arrangement of filter elements with respect to the capacitor C₁ and the inductors L₁ and L₂ (e.g., can omit the inductors L₁ and L₂). Therefore, the superconducting phase-shift system 100 can be configured in a variety of different ways.

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates yet another example of a superconducting phase-shift system 200. The superconducting phase-shift system 200 can correspond to the superconducting phase-shift system 10 in the example of FIG. 1, and can thus be implemented in a variety of superconducting circuit systems to provide phase-control of an input signal SIG_MW to provide a phase-shifted output signal SIG_SH.

[0031] The superconducting phase-shift system 200 includes an all-pass filter 202 and a phase controller 204. The all-pass filter 202 is configured to provide a phase-shift of the input signal SIG_MW that is received at an input 206, such as in a given range of frequencies of the input signal SIG_MW, to provide the phase-shifted output signal SIG_SH from an output 208. In the example of FIG. 5, the input 206 and the output 208 are coupled via a capacitor C₁. The all-pass filter 202 includes an input variable inductance element 210 that is coupled to the input 206 via an inductor L₁, and an output variable inductance element 212 that is coupled to the output 208 via an inductor L₂. A capacitor C₂ interconnects the input and output variable inductance elements 210 and 212 to a low-voltage rail, demonstrated in the example of FIG. 5 as ground. In the example of FIG. 5, the input variable inductance element 210 includes a plurality N of input variable inductance portions 214, and the output variable inductance element 212 includes a plurality N of output variable inductance portions 216, where N is a positive integer greater than one. Each of the input variable inductance portions 214 and each respective one of the output variable inductance portions 216 is responsive to one of a respective plurality N of phase-control currents I_PH1 through I_PHN that is generated by the phase controller 204.

[0032] As an example, each of the input and output variable inductance portions 214 and 216 can include at least one SQUID comprising an inductor and a parallel pair of Josephson junctions. For example, each of the input and output variable inductance portions 214 and 216 can include a pair of SQUIDs, such as similar to the example of FIG. 3, that are each inductively coupled to the respective one of the plurality of phase-control currents I_PH1 through I_PHN. As a result, each of the phase-control currents I_PH1 through I_PHN can provide separate and individual control over the amount of inductance that is provided by the respective input and output variable inductance portions 214 and 216, and thus the input and output variable inductance elements 210 and 212. For example, each of the input variable inductance portions 214 and each of the output variable inductance portions 216 can be configured uniquely with respect to the other respective input and output variable inductance portions 214 and 216. Therefore, all-pass filter 202 of the superconducting phase-shift system 200 can provide more control of the phase-shift of the input signal SIG_MW. For example, the all-pass filter 202 can provide fine and coarse setting of the phase-shift of the input signal SIG_MW via the phase-control currents I_PH1 through I_PHN, or can provide incremental binary adjustments to the phase-shift, or any of a variety of other types of adjustments to the phase-shift of the input signal SIG_MW.

[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates yet a further example of a superconducting phase-shift system 250. The superconducting phase-shift system 250 includes a plurality X of all-pass filters 252 and a phase controller 254, where X is a positive integer greater than one. As an example, each of the all-pass filters 252 can be configured substantially similar to the all-pass filter 52, the all-pass filter 102, or the all-pass filter 202 in the respective examples of FIG. 2, 3, or 5. The plurality of all-pass filters 252 are thus each configured to provide a respective phase-shift of an input signal SIG_MW, such as in a given range of frequencies of the input signal SIG_MW. In the example of FIG. 6, each of the all-pass filters 252 provides a separate contribution of phase-shift to provide the output signal SIG_SH corresponding to a phase-shifted version of the input signal SIG_MW.

[0034] In the example of FIG. 6, each of the all-pass filters 252 is controlled by a phase-control current I_PH that is generated by the phase controller 254. As an example, the phase-control current I_PH can include a single current that is inductively coupled to variable inductance elements in each of the all-pass filters 252, or can be a separate and independent current that is inductively coupled to at least one variable inductance element a respective one of the all-pass filters 252. Thus, a first of the all-pass filters 252 provides a first phase-shift of the input signal SIG_MW received at an input of the first of the all-pass filters 252 to provide a signal SIG_SH1 at an output of the first of the all-pass filters 252. Subsequently, a next one of the all-pass filters 252 provides a phase-shift of the signal SIG_SH1 received at an input of the next of the all-pass filters 252 to provide a signal at an output of the next of the all-pass filters 252 that is further phase-shifted, up to a last of the all-pass filters 252 (i.e., the Xth all-pass filter 252) providing a phase-shift of a signal SIG_SHX-1 received at an input of the last of the all-pass filters 252 to provide the phase-shifted signal SIG_SHX at an output of the last of the all-pass filters 252. Therefore, each of the all-pass filters 252 can provide separate amounts of cumulative phase-shift of the input signal SIG_MW to achieve any amount of desired phase-shift in providing the output signal SIG_SHX.

[0035] In view of the foregoing structural and functional features described above, a methodology in accordance with various aspects of the present invention will be better appreciated with reference to FIG. 7. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the methodology of FIG. 7 is shown and described as executing serially, it is to be understood and appreciated that the present invention is not limited by the illustrated order, as some aspects could, in accordance with the present invention, occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other aspects from that shown and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated features may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 7 illustrates a method 300 for method for phase-shifting an input signal (e.g., the input signal SIG_MW) via an all-pass filter (e.g., the all-pass filter 12). At 302, the input signal is received at an input (e.g., the input 56) of the all-pass filter. At 304, a phase-control current (e.g., the phase-control current I_PH) is provided from a phase controller (e.g., the phase controller 14) onto a control line (e.g., the control line 122) that is inductively coupled to a first variable inductance element (e.g., the input variable inductance element 60) that is coupled to the input and to a second variable inductance element (e.g., the output variable inductance element 62) that is coupled to an output (e.g., the output 58) of the all-pass filter. At 306, an amplitude of the phase-control current is adjusted to control a variable inductance associated with each of the first and second variable inductance elements. At 308, an output signal (e.g., the output signal SIG_SH) is provided at the output that is phase-shifted relative to the input signal based on the variable inductance of the first and second variable inductance elements.

[0037] What have been described above are examples of the invention. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the invention, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the invention are possible. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of this application, including the appended claims.