Circuit quantum acoustodynamics with a fluxonium qubit

Placeholder Show Content

Abstract/Contents

Abstract
Quantum information is fragile, and the physical systems we use to protect it are often complex. Even with rapid advances in superconducting circuits over the past two decades, this leading platform for quantum engineering utilizes substantial electronic and spatial resources per qubit. This inspires a search for hardware-efficient strategies to build on the success of superconducting circuits. One such strategy involves the integration of mechanical resonators, offering smaller spatial footprints, sensitive detection of mass or force, and prospects for long energy-relaxation lifetimes. Coupling rates between circuits and mechanics are enhanced by the use of strongly piezoelectric materials, extending the reach of circuit quantum electrodynamics into the domain of mechanical systems. In this thesis I describe efforts to achieve strong coupling between a superconducting qubit and a piezoelectric mechanical resonator with frequency below 1 GHz. The main result is a device achieving phonon-number-resolving readout of a 690 MHz mechanical resonator. Phonon-number resolution was first observed using few-GHz nanomechanical resonators coupled to a transmon qubit at a similar frequency, leveraging strong piezoelectricity in thin-film lithium niobate. I show that integrating a lithium niobate mechanical resonator with a fluxonium qubit can access lower mechanical frequencies while preserving strong coupling and control capabilities at the single-phonon level. I describe initial attempts to measure coherence times of a phonon at 690 MHz, argue that these attempts were limited by thermal effects, and suggest cooling protocols to control thermal effects in future work. I conclude by discussing future experiments in strongly-coupled quantum acoustics, some of which may be enabled with near-term improvements in the fluxonium-mechanical system.

Description

Type of resource text
Form electronic resource; remote; computer; online resource
Extent 1 online resource.
Place California
Place [Stanford, California]
Publisher [Stanford University]
Copyright date 2023; ©2023
Publication date 2023; 2023
Issuance monographic
Language English

Creators/Contributors

Author Lee, Nathaniel Richard
Degree supervisor Safavi-Naeini, Amir H
Thesis advisor Safavi-Naeini, Amir H
Thesis advisor Fan, Shanhui, 1972-
Thesis advisor Hogan, Jason
Degree committee member Fan, Shanhui, 1972-
Degree committee member Hogan, Jason
Associated with Stanford University, School of Humanities and Sciences
Associated with Stanford University, Department of Applied Physics

Subjects

Genre Theses
Genre Text

Bibliographic information

Statement of responsibility Nathaniel Richard Lee.
Note Submitted to the Department of Applied Physics.
Thesis Thesis Ph.D. Stanford University 2023.
Location https://purl.stanford.edu/kh905cd4067

Access conditions

Copyright
© 2023 by Nathaniel Richard Lee
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 Unported license (CC BY-NC).

Also listed in

Loading usage metrics...