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SRI 6011 Josephson Arbitrary Waveform Synthesizer
6011 Josephson Arbitrary Waveform Synthesizer (JAWS)
The Josephson Arbitrary Waveform Synthesizer (JAWS) is a primary voltage standard that generates alternating-current (ac) waveforms that have quantum accuracy. The JAWS is an intrinsic standard that derives its accuracy from the Josephson effect via a pulse-driven technique. In this system, a delta-sigma algorithm converts a desired waveform into a high-speed digital pulse pattern. This pulsed pattern is then delivered to an array of thousands of superconducting Josephson junctions. Each individual junction responds to the input pulses by generating a series of output voltage pulses, where each pulse has a quantized time-integrated area equal to the magnetic flux quantum, (where h is Planck’s constant and e is the elementary charge). By controlling the timing of these quantized pulses across the array, the system synthesizes a macro-waveform – typically reaching up to 2 V rms – with a level of precision directly linked to the SI volt.
The JAWS provides the foundation for a "source-based" ac voltage metrology framework. With uncertainties of parts in 107 at 1 kHz, the system is used to characterize high-precision electrical instruments, including:
- AC-DC Transfer Standards: JAWS enables direct, high-precision calibration of thermal voltage converters and thermal transfer standards up to 100 kHz.
- Impedance Metrology: JAWS provides a fundamental source for bridge measurements and the high-precision characterization of capacitance and inductance standards.
- Power Meter Calibrations: JAWS enables the highest accuracy calibrations of standard wattmeters for sinusoidal and distorted power signals over the 50 Hz to 6 kHz frequency range.
Operational reliability is verified by measuring Quantum-Locking Ranges (QLR), ensuring the system remains within the stable operating domain required for high-accuracy-level metrology.
Specifications Certificate (PDF Format)
For SRI 6011 series costs, see below. Only customers with the intention to purchase should contact srminfo [at] nist.gov (srminfo[at]nist[dot]gov) for a formal proforma invoice.
| Instrument | Calibration | Domestic TTI* | Internat'l TTI* | Domestic Total | Internat'l Total | ||
| 6011d | 2V JAWS chip and cryopackage (standalone) | $53,900 | $3,000 | $0 | $0 | $56,900 | $56,900 |
| 6011f | Cryocooled 2V JAWS System (water) | $629,000 | $3,000 | $19,500 | $24,500 | $651,500 | $656,500 |
| 6011g | Cryocooled 2V JAWS System (water, no synthesizer) | $363,600 | $3,000 | $19,500 | $24,500 | $386,100 | $391,100 |
| 6011h | Cryocooled 2V JAWS System (air-cooled compressor) | $631,600 | $3,000 | $19,500 | $24,500 | $654,100 | $659,100 |
| 6011i | Cryocooled Combined 2V JAWS and 10V PJVS System (water-cooled compressor) | $752,300 | $3,000 | $19,500 | $24,500 | $774,800 | $779,800 |
*TTI = Travel, Training and Installation
Technical References:
- A Rüfenacht, N E Flowers-Jacobs, and S P Benz, "Impact of the New Generation of Josephson Voltage Standards in ac and dc Electric Metrology," Metrologia vol. 55, no. 5, pp. S152–S173, Aug 24, 2018 DOI: 10.1088/1681-7575/aad41a
- N E Flowers-Jacobs, A Rüfenacht, A E Fox, S B Waltmann, J A Brevik, P D Dresselhaus, and S P Benz, "Three volt pulse-driven Josephson arbitrary waveform synthesizer," 31st Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements (CPEM 2018) Digest, 8–13 July 2018, Paris, France. DOI: 10.1109/CPEM.2018.8501053.
- S. P. Benz, P. D. Dresselhaus, C. J. Burroughs, and N. F. Bergren, “Precision measurements using a 300 mV Josephson arbitrary waveform synthesizer,” IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 864-869, June 2007.
- S. P. Benz and C. A. Hamilton, “A pulse-driven programmable Josephson voltage standard,” Appl. Phys. Lett., vol. 68, pp. 3171-3173, 27 May 1996.