Researchers in the Flux Quantum Electronics (FQE) Project  of CTL’s Superconductive Electronics Group exploit the macroscopic quantum behavior of superconductivity to develop cryogenic superconductive circuits and demonstrate precision measurements to assist US industry for applications in quantum computing, wireless communications, and high-speed, energy-efficient computing. Research opportunities exist in the following areas:

a. Superconductive Circuits for Cryogenic Quantum Computing: Superconductive single-flux-quantum (SFQ) microwave circuits for the control and readout of quantum bits to enable fault-tolerant cryogenic quantum computers.

b. Hot Qubits: Superconductive millimeter-wave circuits, qubits, and measurement systems for enabling quantum computing at higher temperatures (up to 1 K) using “hot qubits.” This goal of this work is to support the US industry in developing cheaper, cryogenic quantum computer systems with smaller physical size.

c. RF calibrations for Quantum Computing: Superconductive quantum circuits, superconductive calibration standards, and MEMS-based cryogenic microwave switch networks to assist US companies engaged in cryogenic quantum computing R&D. 

d. Superconductive Advanced Computing: Development of superconductive devices, materials, fabrication processes, and cryogenic electrical measurements to support energy-efficient, high-speed, superconductive digital computing.

e. RF Reference Sources for Wireless Communications: Quantum-based arbitrary waveform reference sources in the microwave- and millimeter-wave frequency bands to provide standards for current and future communication technologies (e.g., 5G  and 6G wireless).

[1] M.A. Castellanos-Beltran et al., “Coherence-limited digital control of a superconducting qubit using a Josephson pulse generator at 3 K,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 122, 2023.https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0147692

[2] D. Olaya et al., "300-GHz Operation of Divider Circuits Using High-  Jc Nb/NbxSi1−x/Nb  Josephson Junctions," ," IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond, vol. 25, no. 3, 2015. doi: 10.1109/TASC.2014.2373317

[3] P. F. Hopkins et al., "RF Waveform Synthesizers with Quantum-Based Voltage Accuracy for Communications Metrology," IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., vol. 29, no. 5,2019. doi: 10.1109/TASC.2019.2898407

key words

superconductivity; superconductor electronics; Josephson junctions; quantum computing; quantum circuits; cavity QED; rapid single flux quantum electronics; RSFQ; arbitrary waveform synthesis; microwave technology; wireless communications; AI; artificial intelligence; neuromorphic computing.

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants