Investigating pump harmonics generation in a SNAIL-based traveling wave parametric amplifier

Year: 2024

Authors: Levochkina A.Y., Ahmad H.G., Mastrovito P., Chatterjee., Serpico G., Di Palma L., Ferroiuolo R., Satariano R., Darvehi P., Ranadive A., Cappelli G., Le Gal G., Planat L., Montemurro D., Massarotti D., Tafuri F., Roch N., Pepe G.P., Esposito M.

Autors Affiliation: Univ Federico II, Dept Phys, I-80126 Naples, Italy; CNR SPIN, Complesso Monte S Angelo,Via Cintia, I-80126 Naples, Italy; Univ Grenoble Alpes, Inst Neel, CNRS, Grenoble INP, F-38000 Grenoble, France; Silent Waves, Grenoble, France; Univ Federico II, Dept Elect Engn & Informat Technol, I-80125 Naples, Italy; CNR INO, Largo Enrico Fermi 6, I-50125 Florence, Italy.

Abstract: Traveling wave parametric amplifiers (TWPAs) are extensively employed in experiments involving weak microwave signals for their highly desirable quantum-limited and broadband characteristics. However, TWPAs’ broadband nature comes with the disadvantage of admitting the activation of spurious nonlinear processes, such as harmonics generation, that can potentially degrade amplification performance. Here we experimentally investigate a Josephson TWPA device with superconducting nonlinear asymmetric inductive element-based unit cells focusing on the amplification behaviour along with the generation of second and third harmonics of the pump. By comparing experimental results with transient numerical simulations, we demonstrate the influence of Josephson junctions’ fabrication imperfections on the occurrence of harmonics and on the gain behaviour.

Journal/Review: SUPERCONDUCTOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Volume: 37 (11)      Pages from: 115021-1  to: 115021-12

More Information: This work is supported by the European Union under Horizon Europe 2021-2027 Framework Programme Grant Agreement No. 101080152 and under Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme Grant Agreement Nos. 731473 and 101017733; and by PNRR MUR Project PE0000023-NQSTI. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 899561.
KeyWords: superconducting quantum devices; Josephson metamaterials; Traveling Wave Parametric Amplifiers
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6668/ad8314