Characterizing types of correlated errors in superconducting qubits

Errors in superconducting qubits that are correlated in time and space can pose problems for quantum error correction algorithms. Radiation from cosmic and terrestrial sources has been identified as a cause of these errors. Mechanical effects, such as those induced by the pulse tube in a dilution refrigerator, have also been identified as a source of correlated errors. These have the potential to be mitigated by appropriately designed experimental fixturing. We present an algorithm for distinguishing the two types of errors by their spatial, temporal, and frequency domain features, allowing for targeted error mitigation strategies. We also present accelerometer data to investigate the association between the vibration environment of the dilution refrigerator and the errors measured in the qubits. We present results from transmons with no intentional quasiparticle mitigation, as well as those that have been engineered to be less sensitive to quasiparticles.