Materials loss measurements using superconducting microwave resonators

Published

June 9, 2020

Author(s)

Corey Rae H. McRae, Haozhi Wang, Jiansong Gao, Michael R. Vissers, Teresa Brecht, A Dunsworth, David P. Pappas, J. Mutus

Abstract

The performance of superconducting circuits for quantum computing is limited by materials losses. In particular, coherence times are typically bounded by two-level system (TLS) losses at single photon powers and millikelvin temperatures. The identification of low loss fabrication techniques, materials, and thin film dielectrics is critical to achieving scalable architectures for superconducting quantum computing. Superconducting microwave resonators provide a convenient qubit proxy for assessing performance and studying TLS loss and other mechanisms relevant to superconducting circuits such as non-equilibrium quasiparticles and magnetic flux vortices. In this review article, we provide an overview of considerations for designing accurate resonator experiments to characterize loss, including applicable types of loss, cryogenic setup, device design, and methods for extracting material and interface losses, summarizing techniques that have been evolving for over two decades. Results from measurements of a wide variety of materials and processes are also summarized. Lastly, we present recommendations for the reporting of loss data from superconducting microwave resonators to facilitate materials comparisons across the field.

Citation

APL Materials

Volume

2006

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

superconducting circuits, quantum computing, two-level system, TLS, single photon powers, millikelvin temperatures, low loss fabrication techniques, thin film dielectrics, scalable architectures, qubit proxy, non-equilibrium quasiparticles, magnetic flux vortices

Citation

H., C. , Wang, H. , Gao, J. , Vissers, M. , Brecht, T. , Dunsworth, A. , Pappas, D. and Mutus, J. (2020), Materials loss measurements using superconducting microwave resonators, APL Materials, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=930293 (Accessed October 24, 2025)