A superconducting, on-chip, microwave directional amplifier

Amplification based on parametric processes in superconducting circuits has revolutionized the measurement of feeble microwave signals. These devices, which operate near the quantum limit, are routinely used to readout superconducting qubits. However, they often require ferrite circulators to separate incoming and outgoing traveling waves, limiting measurement efficiency and scalability. To facilitate the routing of quantum signals we have recently created a superconducting, on-chip circulator without permanent magnets [https://arxiv.org/abs/1707.04565]. In this talk, we describe the integration of the circulator with a Josephson parametric amplifier on a single chip. We also present preliminary measurements of its performance as a directional amplifier.