SERPENT (Superconducting Electronics for Radio Preamplification with Eliminated Noise Temperature)

Physical Sciences Inc. and Dr. Paul SzyprytÆs group at CU Boulder will develop a radio-frequency (RF) low noise amplifier (LNA) based on traveling-wave parametric amplifier (TWPA) technology. This new device will approach the fundamental quantum mechanical noise limit of an amplifier, surpassing the noise performance of current cryogenic semiconductor-based LNAs. Additionally, it will simultaneously act a down-converting mixer, taking advantage of the nonlinear wave-mixing process inherent in TWPA operation. The device will operate over a wide bandwidth of at least several GHz, with different variants covering operation from 2 GHz to 27 GHz. We aim to extend the TWPA operating temperature from 100 mK to 4 K to allow for easier integration into cryogenic systems by taking advantage of higher-Tc Āsuperconductors. Reduced noise temperature of an LNA will allow significantly easier detection of extremely weak or faint signals due to the reduced noise added to the signal.