Demostration of an rf-SQUID based three-wave mixing traveling-wave parametric amplifier

Modern quantum experiments, which operate with microwave signals at power levels of a few fW, greatly benefit from amplification with near quantum-limited added noise. To address this demand, while also providing a large bandwidth, we realize a traveling-wave parametric amplifier (TWPA) based on an array of ~2000 rf-SQUIDs [1]. The device operates in a three-wave mixing regime, delivering gain of 18 dB over a bandwidth of ~4 GHz and exhibits a saturation power of approximately -90 dBm. We achieve phase-matching by periodic capacitance loading [2], which we optimised by time-domain circuit simulations. Our TWPA is fabricated using Nb/Al-AlOx/Nb trilayer technology. We present simulations and experimental results including noise characterization of the device.

[1] Zorin, A. B. Physical Review Applied 6.3 (2016): 034006.

[2] Gaydamachenko, V., et al. Journal of Applied Physics 132.15 (2022): 154401