The Taming of the Superconducting Qubit: A Tale of Loss

Abstract

The potential of quantum computing to enable new ways of solving problems considered intractable on classical computing platforms relies on our understanding of how qubits operate. Qubit scaling follows different metrics than those associated with classical computing, driven by the requirement that the fragile states they possess can be retained for sufficiently long times. After a brief introduction into superconducting transmon qubits, I will discuss how dielectric loss impacts their relaxation times and how we can effectively model such behavior using analytical and computational approaches. The resulting analysis provides guidance into the design aspects associated with such qubits. A secondary issue that follows from manufacturing greater numbers of qubits involves unwanted communication among them. In particular, resonance modes generated in the substrate on which they reside can limit their operating frequencies. It is known that incorporating grounded, through-silicon vias can increase the corresponding cutoff frequency within the substrate. I will show how we can predict the resulting spectrum by considering the array of vias as an effective photonic crystal to arrive at a fundamental frequency dependent on the particulars of the via geometry.