Coupling a Single Vortex in a Superconductor to a Single Microwave Photon

****技术摘要****超导体中的涡旋已经从各种有利的角度进行了研究，包括现代世界中超导体的许多关键技术应用。尽管如此，一些基本问题仍然存在，比如涡旋穿过传统上被禁止的屏障的可能性。在量子相干超导器件领域，最近的重大进展使得制造能够存储微波场或光子的单一量子化激发的谐振电路成为可能。在本项目中，实验将研究单个涡旋耦合到单个微波光子的动力学，从而应用最先进的量子相干电路技术来解决凝聚态物理中的关键基础问题。随着纳米尺度涡旋约束结构的制造，在毫开尔文温度下对谐振器的测量将提供对单个涡旋动力学的独特探测。此外，这种结构将允许研究单个微波光子与量子化耗散量的耦合，因为每次增加一个漩涡。提议的工作将吸引不同的学生团队参与尖端的科学努力，并将为他们提供关键技术领域的培训，如纳米制造和微波工程。公开讲座还将描述超导体中单涡的性质及其与微波量子的耦合。****非技术摘要****在一定的磁场范围内，许多不同的超导体都被涡旋所缠绕，涡旋是量子化的磁通量束。这些涡流已经从各种有利的角度进行了研究，包括现代世界中超导体的许多技术应用。尽管如此，一些基本问题仍然存在，比如涡旋通过量子力学隧穿屏障的可能性。在量子相干超导器件领域，最近的重大进展使得制造能够存储单个量子化微波激发或光子的电路成为可能。在本项目中，实验将研究单个涡旋耦合到单个微波光子的动力学，从而应用最先进的量子相干电路技术来解决凝聚态物理中的关键基础问题。在附近由美国国家科学基金会资助的康奈尔纳米尺度设施制造出涡流限制结构之后，在接近绝对零度的温度下的测量将提供对单个涡流动力学的独特探测。这样的结构也将允许耦合单个微波光子和量子化的耗散量，因为每次增加一个漩涡。这项提议的工作将吸引不同的学生团队参与尖端的科学努力，并将为他们提供纳米制造和微波工程等关键领域的培训。公开讲座还将描述超导体中单涡的性质及其与微波量子的耦合。

****Technical Abstract****Vortices in superconductors have been studied from a variety of vantage points, including for the many key technological applications of superconductors in the modern world. Nonetheless, some fundamental questions remain, such as the possibility for a vortex to tunnel through a classically forbidden barrier. In the field of quantum coherent superconducting devices, recent dramatic advances have made it possible to produce resonant circuits that can store a single quantized excitation of the microwave field, or photon. In this project, experiments will be performed to study the dynamics of a single vortex coupled to a single microwave photon, thus applying state-of-the-art quantum coherent circuit technology to address key fundamental problems in condensed matter physics. Following the fabrication of nanoscale vortex confining structures, measurements of the resonators at millikelvin temperatures will provide a unique probe of the dynamics of a single vortex. In addition, such structures will allow for studies of the coupling of a single microwave photon to quantized amounts of dissipation as vortices are added one at a time. The proposed work will engage a diverse team of students in cutting-edge scientific endeavors and will provide them with training in key technological areas such as nanofabrication and microwave engineering. Public lectures will also be given describing the nature of single vortices in superconductors and their coupling to microwave quanta. ****Non-Technical Abstract****Over a range of magnetic fields, many different superconductors are threaded by vortices, which are quantized bundles of magnetic flux. These vortices have been studied from a variety of vantage points, including for the many technological applications of superconductors in the modern world. Nonetheless, some fundamental questions remain, such as the possibility for a vortex to tunnel quantum mechanically through a barrier. In the field of quantum coherent superconducting devices, recent dramatic advances have made it possible to produce circuits that can store a single quantized microwave excitation, or photon. In this project, experiments will be performed to study the dynamics of a single vortex coupled to a single microwave photon, thus applying state-of-the-art quantum coherent circuit technology to address key fundamental problems in condensed matter physics. Following the fabrication of vortex confining structures at the nearby, NSF-funded Cornell NanoScale Facility, measurements at temperatures near absolute zero will provide a unique probe of the dynamics of a single vortex. Such structures will also allow for coupling a single microwave photon to quantized amounts of dissipation as vortices are added one at a time. The proposed work will engage a diverse team of students in cutting-edge scientific endeavors and will provide them with training in key areas such as nanofabrication and microwave engineering. Public lectures will also be given describing the nature of single vortices in superconductors and their coupling to microwave quanta.