Title: NIST Develops Cryogenic Photonic Interconnects for Quantum Computing
Summary:
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a new technology called cryogenic photonic interconnects to connect room-temperature microwave sources to superconducting circuits used in quantum computing. This innovative approach uses optical systems to transport, filter, generate, or process microwave and millimeter-wave signals, taking advantage of their large bandwidth, low loss, and low noise.
One of the main challenges in quantum computing is transporting microwave and millimeter-wave signals into a cryogenic environment using cables and waveguides, which can generate significant heat loads. NIST’s cryogenic photonic interconnects use optical fibers with 1000 times lower thermal conductivity compared to traditional coaxial cables, reducing heat load and improving system performance.
The technology can be used to deliver control and readout signals for quantum information systems as well as for Josephson junction-based waveform synthesis, which requires drive signal bandwidths exceeding 100 GHz. Optical sources can generate more than 1 THz of bandwidth, and optical fibers can transport rf, microwave, and mm-wave signals with negligible signal distortion and loss when combined with high-speed photodiodes compatible with cryogenic operation.
The development of cryogenic photonic interconnects by NIST represents a significant step forward in the field of quantum computing, enabling more efficient and reliable signal transport between room-temperature components and superconducting circuits operating at cryogenic temperatures. This technology has the potential to improve the performance and scalability of quantum computers and other quantum technologies.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/cryogenic-photonic-interconnects
Keywords: Photonic, Optical, Microwave, Millimeter-wave, Superconducting
