Superconducting nanodevices: fundamental investigations and application to quantum information and sensitive detection

超导纳米器件：量子信息和灵敏检测的基础研究和应用

• 批准号: RGPIN-2014-06273
• 负责人: Lupascu, Adrian
• 金额: $ 3.06万
• 依托单位: University of Waterloo
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2016-01-01 至 2017-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=612134
• 关键词: Superconducting; nanodevices; fundamental; investigations; application

Quantum mechanics is the fundamental theory of nature. The quantum description of the physical world is often in marked contrast with our intuition. For instance, any attempt to observe a quantum object changes its state in a random and irreversible manner. In recent decades, advances in science and technology made it possible to isolate and manipulate simple quantum systems. Having a good handle on quantum systems gives new opportunities to understand the foundations of quantum mechanics. Moreover, recent research revealed that when information is encoded using quantum systems new opportunities for applications arise. Quantum computers outperform classical computers in many relevant tasks. In addition, quantum systems provide a way to transmit information in a secure manner. Both fundamental research and prospective applications using quantum systems focused traditionally on atoms and photons, which are weakly coupled to the surrounding world, making quantum effects prominent. However, in recent years genuine quantum effects were observed in solid-state systems, where the quantum behavior can be engineered. Superconducting quantum circuits, which are devices based on superconductors, are one of the most promising types of systems for research on foundations and applications of quantum mechanics. Our research on superconducting quantum circuits addresses fundamental aspects of their physics and two types of practical applications. We will explore the physical origin of the magnetic flux fluctuations observed in superconducting devices. This type of fluctuation has many puzzling features and is detrimental to applications. Understanding the origin of flux noise is one of the most important problems in the field of condensed matter physics. We will use a set of tools recently developed in our group for systematic experimental investigations of flux noise. The first practical application we will explore is quantum computing using superconducting circuits. We will investigate both the implementation of logic gates and the protection against unavoidable errors in a quantum computer. The second application that we will pursue is the development of ultra-sensitive magnetic field sensors. We will further develop a new type of magnetometer invented by our group and we will apply it to measurements of small magnetic fields generated by the mechanical vibrations of nanometer size resonators and by small magnetic molecules. This research will be carried out by undergraduate and graduate students, and by postdoctoral researchers. This proposal requires funding for the salaries of these researchers and for operation and equipment costs. Our research will have a major impact for fundamental research in quantum mechanics and quantum technologies. It will contribute to further establishing Canada as one of the leading countries in quantum information and technologies. Canada will also benefit through the training of the individuals working on this project, who will acquire skills transferable to many fields of research and industry.

量子力学是自然界的基本理论。物理世界的量子描述常常与我们的直觉形成鲜明对比。例如，任何观察量子物体的尝试都会以随机和不可逆的方式改变其状态。近几十年来，科学和技术的进步使分离和操纵简单的量子系统成为可能。掌握量子系统为理解量子力学的基础提供了新的机会。此外，最近的研究表明，当使用量子系统对信息进行编码时，新的应用机会就会出现。量子计算机在许多相关任务中优于经典计算机。此外，量子系统提供了一种以安全方式传输信息的方法。使用量子系统的基础研究和潜在应用传统上都集中在原子和光子上，它们与周围世界弱耦合，使量子效应突出。然而，近年来在固态系统中观察到了真正的量子效应，其中量子行为可以被设计。超导量子电路是基于超导体的器件，是研究量子力学基础和应用的最有前途的系统类型之一。 我们对超导量子电路的研究涉及其物理学的基本方面和两种类型的实际应用。我们将探讨在超导装置中观察到的磁通量波动的物理起源。这种类型的波动有许多令人困惑的特点，不利于应用。了解磁通噪声的起源是凝聚态物理领域的重要问题之一。我们将使用一套工具，最近在我们的小组系统的实验研究磁通噪声。我们将探索的第一个实际应用是使用超导电路的量子计算。我们将研究量子计算机中逻辑门的实现和对不可避免的错误的保护。我们将追求的第二个应用是超灵敏磁场传感器的开发。我们将进一步开发我们小组发明的新型磁力计，并将其应用于测量纳米尺寸谐振器的机械振动和小磁性分子产生的小磁场。 这项研究将由本科生和研究生以及博士后研究人员进行。这项建议需要为这些研究人员的薪金以及业务和设备费用提供资金。我们的研究将对量子力学和量子技术的基础研究产生重大影响。这将有助于进一步使加拿大成为量子信息和技术的领先国家之一。加拿大还将受益于对从事这一项目的个人的培训，他们将获得可转移到许多研究和工业领域的技能。