Skip to main content

NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.

Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

MEMSDuino: An Arduino-Based MEMS Switch Controller

Published

Author(s)

Lafe Spietz, Adam Sirois, Nathan Flowers-Jacobs, Peter Hopkins, Samuel Benz, Steve Waltman

Abstract

Radio frequency cryogenic switches are a critical enabling technology for quantum information science, both for calibration and high throughput testing of samples. Traditionally solenoid-based switches have been used, but transition is being made to MEMS-based switches due to their lower power dissipation, smaller size, and the tendency of solenoid switches to produce current pulses which destroy expensive cryogenic amplifiers. These MEMS switches require a 90-volt signal to be applied to the control lines which determine the state of the switches. Switches exist which have built in CMOS-based control electronics to drive the 90 V, but these do not work at the cryogenic temperatures used in quantum information science. The instrument presented here is a 19-inch rack-mount controller for a cryogenic MEMS switch network which allows a human operator to see the state of the switch via a row of clearly marked indicator lights, and to change the state manually via buttons on an LED-based indicator board or automatically via Python-based serial port commands. The design can also be modified for to control other switches that require either a large voltage or current to switch.
Citation
Technical Note (NIST TN) - 2335
Report Number
2335

Keywords

Arduino, MEMS, RF, Quantum, controller, cryogenic, microwave

Citation

Spietz, L. , Sirois, A. , Flowers-Jacobs, N. , Hopkins, P. , Benz, S. and Waltman, S. (2025), MEMSDuino: An Arduino-Based MEMS Switch Controller, Technical Note (NIST TN), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.TN.2335, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=959065 (Accessed October 2, 2025)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].

Created May 1, 2025
Was this page helpful?