Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Traveling-wave parametric amplifiers (TWPAs) based on Josephson metamaterials provide broadband gain with near-quantum-limited added noise. Whereas long nonlinear metamaterial devices can deliver high gain, short arrays suffer less from dissipation, pump depletion, and internal standing waves which can degrade noise performance. Here, we demonstrate a cascaded TWPA architecture that combines the advantages of both approaches by employing a short (736-element), low-dissipation Superconducting Nonlinear Asymmetric Inductive eLement (SNAIL)-based TWPA as the first amplification stage, followed by a conventional long (1632-element) TWPA that provides additional gain. The resulting amplifier cascade achieves nearly 30 dB of total gain over a tunable bandwidth of approximately 1 GHz while maintaining added noise close to the quantum limit. Our results establish a cascade of TWPAs as a practical approach for high-gain, broadband, quantum amplification with applications in quantum information processing, multi-mode entanglement, and quantum sensing applications at microwave frequencies.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Institutions: Aalto University, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT
OpenAlex ID: W7214002777