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PUBLICATIONS

Traceable Validation of Calculable Quantum-Based RF Waveforms

Published

Author(s)

Jeremy Thomas, Nathan Flowers-Jacobs, Anna Fox, Johannes Hoffmann, Paul Dresselhaus

Abstract

We compare the calculated, quantum-based output of a radio-frequency Josephson arbitrary waveform synthesizer (RF-JAWS) with its measured output that is calibrated through the established NIST RF power traceability path, a necessary first step towards quantum-based RF metrology. An array of 1,500 Josephson junctions (JJs) is used to synthesize sinusoids from 50MHz to 3 GHz, each with a nominal output power of -49.67dBm and a demonstrated quantum-locking range (QLR). We perform a two-tier calibration of two-port vector network analyzer (VNA) measurements of the RF-JAWS waveforms with uncertainty analysis: (1) the VNA wave parameters are referenced to a NIST-calibrated coaxial power sensor, and (2) a cryogenic probe station, together with on-chip superconducting calibration standards, establishes an on-chip reference plane at the JJ-array. The calibrated measurement of the forward- and backward-propagating power is compared with the expected, calculated outputs, and, after accounting for high-frequency roll-off, we observe agreement within the expanded (k = 2) uncertainty limits for most frequencies.
Proceedings Title
IEEE 2026 Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements (CPEM)
Citation
<i>IEEE 2026 Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements (CPEM)</i> (, Madrid, , ES, 06-SEP-26 to 11-SEP-26)
Conference Dates
2026-09-06T00:00:00
Conference Location
Madrid, , ES
Pub Type
Conferences

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Keywords

Josephson junctions, microwave measurement, digital-analog conversion, superconducting microwave devices
Advanced communications

Citation

Thomas, J. , Flowers-Jacobs, N. , Fox, A. , Hoffmann, J. and Dresselhaus, P. (2026), Traceable Validation of Calculable Quantum-Based RF Waveforms, IEEE 2026 Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements (CPEM), Madrid, , ES, [online], https://nps-ext.nist.gov/nps/nps_public_api/api/Publication/file/961615 (Accessed October 30, 2026)
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Created April 18, 2026, Updated October 26, 2026
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