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Josephson parametric amplifier offers increased qubit frequency in quantum computing - AIP.ORG

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⚡ Quantum Brief
Researchers demonstrated a wireless Josephson parametric amplifier (WJPA) operating above 20 GHz, enabling high-frequency qubit readout in superconducting quantum computers. The breakthrough addresses thermal noise challenges at elevated temperatures. The device achieves over 20 dB gain with near-quantum-limited noise—just two added photons—approaching the theoretical minimum of 0.5 photons. It operates tunably between 21–23.5 GHz, mitigating losses and impedance mismatches common at high frequencies. The wireless design simplifies integration and improves scalability, working with various Josephson junction materials like niobium or niobium nitride. This flexibility supports broader adoption in high-temperature quantum systems. Next steps include testing the amplifier with actual qubits to validate high-fidelity readout performance, a critical milestone for practical quantum computing applications. Published in Applied Physics Letters (2026), the work advances efforts to operate qubits at 1 kelvin—far above current millikelvin standards—while maintaining coherence through higher-frequency operation.
Josephson parametric amplifier offers increased qubit frequency in quantum computing - AIP.ORG

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Josephson parametric amplifier offers increased qubit frequency in quantum computing lead image In quantum computing, conventional superconducting qubits operate at frequencies less than 10 gigahertz and at temperatures less than 20 millikelvin. Increasing this temperature to 1 kelvin would make it easier to scale. However, the thermal noise at 1 kelvin causes decoherence at low frequencies. Thus, operating superconducting qubits at higher temperatures requires higher operation frequencies to suppress noise from thermal photons. In these systems, Josephson parametric amplifiers (JPAs) are a promising candidate for obtaining high-fidelity readout of qubits at higher frequencies. Hao et al. designed and demonstrated a wireless Josephson parametric amplifier (WJPA) operating above 20 gigahertz. Using a wireless design allowed the team to mitigate issues at higher frequencies, such as losses and impedance mismatches. They measured the amplifier gain, bandwidth and compression power and verified its low noise performance by both classical microwave engineering measurements and with a superconducting qubit. “The main impact of the work is to give a positive example that such JPAs are operable at high frequency and can be nearly quantum-limited,” said author Shyam Shankar. “The design is agnostic to the junction used so Josephson elements made with niobium, niobium nitride, or other materials could be used in this way to make high-temperature, high-frequency JPAs.” With more than 20 dB of gain, the group’s JPA can be tuned from 21 to 23.5 gigahertz with only two photons of added noise, close to the standard quantum limit of one-half photon. The group next looks to measure a qubit with this amplifier and demonstrate high-fidelity qubit readout. Source: “Wireless Josephson amplifier above 20 GHz,” by Zhuoqun Hao, Josiah Cochran, Yao Chun Chang, Haley Cole, and Shyam Shankar, Applied Physics Letters (2026). The article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0300910 . American Institute of Physics advances, promotes and serves the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, AIP is a federation that advances the success of our Member Societies and an institute that engages in research and analysis to empower positive change in the physical sciences. The mission of AIP (American Institute of Physics) is to advance, promote, and serve the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity. American Institute of Physics advances, promotes and serves the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, AIP is a federation that advances the success of our Member Societies and an institute that engages in research and analysis to empower positive change in the physical sciences. The mission of AIP (American Institute of Physics) is to advance, promote, and serve the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity.

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Source: Google News – Quantum Computing