Scalable stable comb-to-tone integrated RF photonic drive for superconducting qubits

• Published in: Optics express Vol. 32; no. 11; pp. 18761 - 18770
• Main Authors: Melton, T, DeVore, P T S, McMillan, J, Chan, J, Calonico-Soto, A, Beck, K M, Wong, C W, Chou, J T, Gowda, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Optical Society of America 20.05.2024
• ISSN: 1094-4087; 1094-4087
• DOI: 10.1364/OE.518014

The recent advent of quantum computing has the potential to overhaul security, communications, and scientific modeling. Superconducting qubits are a leading platform that is advancing noise-tolerant intermediate-scale quantum processors. The implementation requires scaling to large numbers of superconducting qubits, circuit depths, and gate speeds, wherein high-purity RF signal generation and effective cabling transport are desirable. Fiber photonic-enhanced RF signal generation has demonstrated the principle of addressing both signal generation and transport requirements, supporting intermediate qubit numbers and robust packaging efforts; however, fiber-based approaches to RF signal distribution are often bounded by their phase instability. Here, we present a silicon photonic integrated circuit-based version of a photonic-enhanced RF signal generator that demonstrates the requisite stability, as well as a path towards the necessary signal fidelity.