Quantum Electronics
QuaMT-ITA activities in Quantum Electronics are twofold, focusing both on promoting quantum metrology for the traceability of electromagnetic measurements, and on the development of metrology supporting quantum sensing and computing. The activities span from quantum realisations of SI electrical units, with the goal of the zero-chain traceability concept, to the development of calibration and validation methods of quantum computer hardware.
Specific examples for activities in Quantum Electronics include:
- Development of quantum standards covering the whole set of electromagnetic units: electrical voltage, current, resistance, impedance, power and energy, from dc to the microwave regime. Exploitation of quantum effects in condensed matter (Josephson effect, quantum Hall effect, single-electron manipulation) with novel devices and materials (superconductors, graphene, 2D materials, topological insulators) and suitable for user-friendly implementations;
- Development of superconducting quantum-limited amplifiers and quantum-enhanced sensors, with in-house design and fabrication capabilities;
- Metrology of superconducting qubits, development of testing, calibration and validation schemes for low-temperature quantum computer hardware;
- Fabrication and advanced characterisation of memristive devices for quantum conductance standards;
- Fabrication and advanced characterisation of superconducting 3D FIB sculpted NanoSQUIDs;
- Metrology for spintronics and development of spintronic devices.
Cryogen-free dilution refrigerator for quantum electronics experiments at temperatures below 20 mK. | ph. INRiM
Cryogen-free dilution refrigerator for quantum electronics experiments at temperatures below 20 mK. | ph. INRiM
Photo of the laboratory of quantum electronic circuits for metrology. | ph. INRiM
Photo of the laboratory of quantum electronic circuits for metrology. | ph. INRiM
External packaging of a reservoir computing chip based on memristive switching networks of silver nanowires. | ph. INRiM
External packaging of a reservoir computing chip based on memristive switching networks of silver nanowires. | ph. INRiM
Detail of the two probe stations available at the INRiM Electron Transport laboratory. | ph. INRiM
Detail of the two probe stations available at the INRiM Electron Transport laboratory. | ph. INRiM
Scanning Electron Microscopy image of a 3D Focused Ion Beam sculpted superconducting NanoSQUID with double loop. | ph. INRiM
Scanning Electron Microscopy image of a 3D Focused Ion Beam sculpted superconducting NanoSQUID with double loop. | ph. INRiM
Scanning Electron Microscopy image of a 3D Focused Ion Beam sculpted superconducting NanoSQUID with single loop. | ph. INRiM
Scanning Electron Microscopy image of a 3D Focused Ion Beam sculpted superconducting NanoSQUID with single loop. | ph. INRiM
View of the Electron Transport laboratory available at INRiM. | ph. INRiM
View of the Electron Transport laboratory available at INRiM. | ph. INRiM
Characterization of Materials and Devices for Quantum Electrical Metrology
The sector studies the conductive, memristive, and noise properties of nanostructured systems and devices for potential electronic and metrological applications, with experimental setups dedicated to electrical resistance tomography and electric noise spectroscopy via cross-correlation. Among the materials studied are graphene and 2D systems for the quantum Hall effect, as well as nanowire networks exhibiting quantized conductance. The sector is also active in the modeling of devices and integrated circuits in graphene and GaAs for impedance metrology applications in both DC and AC regimes. A newly established activity focuses on identifying the electrical parameters of electrochemical devices (batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells) using electrical impedance spectroscopy techniques.
Quantum Standards of Resistance and Electrical Impedance
The sector realizes the units of electrical resistance and impedance (ohm, henry, farad) traceable to the International System of Units.
The unit of resistance in direct current (DC) is realized through the quantum Hall effect in semiconductor devices and transferred to material samples using primary comparison systems, which include the cryogenic current comparator. The sector designs and studies new methods of realization based on innovative materials and devices (quantum Hall array resistance standards).
For the realization of the farad, the sector investigates quantum Hall effect devices in alternating current (AC) and carries out experiments on ohm-farad transfer using digital bridges, particularly through quantum Hall effect experiments in AC with graphene samples.
The sector is also actively involved in the complete revision of the national standard for electrical inductance and electrical capacitance in the range of 1 nF to 100 µF, starting from the AC resistance standard using fully automated and remote impedance bridges (virtual impedance laboratory).
Quantum radiation and metrology in the RF&MW regime
The sector develops circuit models and realizes wide-band parametric amplifiers in the microwave regime at the standard quantum limit for the multiplexing read-out of sensors and detectors of interest for fundamental physics.
The sector implements quantum radiation sources in microwaves for the realization of a heralded scheme aimed at the calibration of detectors with single photon sensitivity based on qubit networks (collaboration with the quantum optics sector) and for illumination based on quantum correlations (quantum radar).
The activity dedicated to the creation and characterization of a system for the measurement of scattering parameters in a cryogenic environment has recently been developed.
National standards of AC power, voltage and current
Power and Energy in AC: The sector develops and maintains the national standard for single-phase and three-phase power and energy by simultaneously sampling voltage and current waveforms under sinusoidal conditions.
In addition to conventional measurement systems and methods, the sector develops innovative measurement methods and systems based on precision samplers and wideband voltage and current transducers to ensure traceability of measurements related to Power Quality within smart grid systems.
The sector is equipped with a three-phase automatic measurement bench for the verification and calibration of wattmeters and static energy meters under both sinusoidal and distorted conditions.
Voltage and Current in AC: The sector develops the primary standard for voltage and current in alternating current and the corresponding national scales through ac-dc thermal transfer devices.
The sector develops measurement systems and devices for extending the measurement ranges of the national standard for voltage and current in AC and for the calibration of precision samplers and voltage and current transducers used for ensuring the traceability of power and energy measurements in the acoustic frequency range and under non-sinusoidal conditions.
An integration of voltage, current, and electric power standards with the quantum voltage standard in alternating current, based on the Josephson effect, is underway.
Practical realization of the ampere: single electrons and traceability of currents in the lowest range
The sector designs and realizes innovative devices based on mesoscale quantum effect, and measurement setups at extremely low temperatures for the manipulation and detection of individual elementary charges.
Correspondingly, activity is ongoing on the improvement of calibration and measurement capabilities of currents in the lowest range (down to 10 fA) with new transconductance amplifier and capacitance-charging generators, with traceability to the standards of resistance and capacitance.
DC and AC quantum voltage standards
The sector is involved in the realization of the electrical voltage unit through the Josephson effect in superconducting devices. A novel fully-automated DC quantum standard for voltages up to 10 V has been recently setup to realize the italian voltage unit.
In the AC regime, a system based on a PJVS device (Programmable Josephson Voltage Standard) is being developed for both DC and AC voltages up to 100 kHz, ensuring quantum traceability to electrical power standards. A Josephson Arbitrary Waveform Synthesizer (JAWS) is also available for the synthesis of spectrally pure and quantum-based arbitrary voltage signals up to 50 mVrms and 10 kHz.
Memristive Devices for Quantum Metrology
In the light of the revision of the International System of Units (SI), the Advanced Materials and Devices (AMD) group discuss on the possibility of using memristive devices in quantum metrology. Exhibiting quantized conductance phenomena at room temperature and without the need of magnetic fields, memristive devices can be exploited for the realization of a resistance standard implementable on‐chip for self‐calibrating systems with zero‐chain traceability.
NanoSQUIDs
The AMD group fabricates three dimensional nano-SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) in a vertical configuration (with the loop in the same plane of Josephson Tunneling Junctions, JTJs). The loop area is 0.25 μm2 corresponding to a modulation period of about 5 mT, the square JTJs have a side length of 0.3 μm. Josephson junction’s fabrication is carried out combining optical lithography to pattern trilayer and three dimensional (3D) Focused Ion Beam (FIB) sculpting technique to define the junctions’ and the loop’s areas. Current-voltage characteristics and critical current vs external magnetic field of the nanodevice have been measured at T = 4.2 K. The devices show high modulation depth of the critical current (up to 70% of the Ic at zero magnetic flux) and high reliability.
Link:
https://www.inrim.it/en/research/scientific-sectors/nanoscale-science-and-technology/activities/superconducting-systems-and
https://sites.google.com/inrim.it/adv-mat-dev/research/electrical-phenomena-at-the-nanoscale
Metrology for spintronics and development of spintronic devices
Development of reliable measurements of spintronic key-parameters, such as the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction constant, the spin Seebeck coefficient and the spin Hall angle with the aim to provide good practice guides and measurement standards for the accurate and reproducible measurement of these parameters. Development of spintronic sensors or logic devices, exploiting spin-orbit or orbital torques, based on quantum spintronic effects.
Performances:
Uncertainty <10% (of a single technique)
Characterization of superconducting parametric amplifiers
Characterization of packaged superconducting parametric amplifiers via a complete set of scattering parameters in both the linear (S-parameters) and nonlinear (polyharmonic dispersion model, limited to the fundamental of the strong tone) regimes within the millikelvin temperature range and under probes composed of a few photon excitations. This includes the extrapolation of device-specific figures of merit, such as quality factor, gain, added noise, saturation, and compression points. RF measurements within the 4-12 GHz bandwidth and 20-900 mK temperature range. DC biasing lines are available. The devices should be connectorized (3.5 mm / SMA). Specific parameters for excitations, as well as necessary filtering and shielding requirements, will be discussed with the customer. In consultation, measurements requiring additional RF ports and pulsed microwave drives could be performed.
Service Type:
Measurement service
R&D Area:
Quantum Computing
Platform:
Electronics
Target Users:
Academia, Industry, Public Institutions, Startups
Availability:
On demand
Status:
Active
Cryogenic characterization of DC and RF components
Complete set of scattering parameter measurements in the linear (S-parameters) of active and passive DC and RF components within the millikelvin temperature range and under probes composed of a few photon excitations. This includes the extrapolation of device-specific figures of merit, such as matching, input, and return losses, with respect to a cryogenic reference. RF measurements within the 4-12 GHz bandwidth and 20-900 mK temperature range. DC biasing lines are available. The devices should be connectorized (3.5 mm / SMA). Specific parameters for excitations, as well as necessary filtering and shielding requirements, will be discussed with the customer. In consultation, measurements requiring additional RF ports and pulsed microwave drives could be performed.
Service Type:
Measurement service, Calibration, Research collaboration, Training
R&D Area:
Quantum Computing, Quantum Materials, R&D Area
Platform:
Electronics
Target Users:
Industry, Academia, Public Institutions, Startups, General Public
Availability:
On demand
Status:
Active
Conductance mapping of thin film materials for QT
Determination of conductance maps of graphene and other 2D materials for quantum technologies by contact methods. Electrical resistance tomography in a controlled environment (room-temperature or cryogenic). Material must be on isolating rigid substrate, cm to mm size, average conductance from the ohm sq to the Mohm sq. Extension of the technique to externally applied magnetic field under development.
Service Type:
Research collaboration, Measurement service
R&D Area:
Quantum Sensing, Quantum Materials
Platform:
Electronics
Target Users:
Industry, Academia, Public Institutions, Startups
Availability:
On demand
Status:
Active
Characterisation and calibration of small electric current meters
Technical certification, with (if required) emission of calibration certificate under 17025 quality system, of DC current meters and transresistance amplifier in the current range from the microampere down to the femtoampere range, with base accuracy in the ppm range.
Service Type:
Measurement service, Calibration
R&D Area:
Quantum Sensing, Quantum Materials
Platform:
Electronics, Photonics
Target Users:
Industry, Academia, Public Institutions, Startups
Availability:
On demand
Calibration of DC&LF T&M instruments for quantum technologies
Technical certification, with (if required) emission of calibration certificate under 17025 quality system, of electronic instruments and artifact standards (voltage, current, impedance, power) with full traceability to quantum electrical standards.
Service Type:
Calibration, Measurement service
R&D Area:
Quantum Sensing, Quantum Materials, Other, R&D Area
Platform:
Electronics
Target Users:
Industry, Academia, Public Institutions
Availability:
On demand
Status:
Active
Development of T&M chains for electronic quantum technologies
Development of sensitive, accurate and traceable measurement solutions targeting characterisation of electronic active and passive quantum devices. Examples: magnetoresistance and quantum Hall effect in novel materials with ultralow power excitation; characterisation of superconducting active circuits.
Service Type:
Research collaboration, Consultancy, Training
R&D Area:
Quantum Sensing, Quantum Materials, R&D Area
Platform:
Electronics
Target Users:
Industry, Startups
Availability:
On demand
Services for the measurements of materials and devices electron transport properties
A complete line of advanced characterisation setups, with 2 probe stations, a Keithley 4200A-SCS Parameter Analyzer, Multichannel high speed acquisition systems and cryostats at LiqHe temperatures are available upon request and reservation.
Service Type:
Research collaboration
R&D Area:
Quantum Materials
Platform:
Electronics
Target Users:
Industry
Availability:
On demand
Contact Person:
Gianluca Milano - g.milano@inrim.it
Link:
https://amdgroup.inrim.it/facilities
Status:
Active