This PhD project, co-funded by Quantcore and the University of Glasgow, focuses on the experimental characterisation and optimisation of niobium-based superconducting qubits—a promising platform for scalable quantum computing. Niobium’s higher superconducting gap enables operation at higher frequencies and moderately elevated temperatures, offering improved cooling efficiency and integration potential.
The research will explore the performance of niobium qubits under realistic conditions and their interface with Single Flux Quantum (SFQ) electronics for cryogenic control and readout. The project will progress through five key objectives:
- Performance Benchmarking: Use randomized benchmarking and process tomography to quantify qubit and gate fidelities, and develop statistical models to identify performance bottlenecks.
- Thermal Stability: Investigate coherence times, frequency drift, and relaxation rates at elevated temperatures (above 100 mK), aiming to improve thermal robustness.
- Noise Spectroscopy: Perform broadband noise analysis to identify and mitigate decoherence sources such as flux, charge, and photon noise.
- Single-Shot Readout: Develop FPGA-based single-shot readout systems for high-speed data acquisition and detailed noise analysis.
- Design Feedback: Use experimental insights to inform the design of next-generation qubit and resonator architectures, in collaboration with Quantcore’s fabrication team.
An optional extension will explore SFQ-based cryogenic control, assessing pulse fidelity, coupling efficiency, and noise backaction.
The student will gain hands-on experience in cryogenic and microwave measurements, quantum device characterisation, FPGA programming, and circuit modelling, with opportunities to present at international conferences. The project aims to enable higher-temperature quantum operation, a critical step toward scalable, energy-efficient superconducting quantum processors.