Development of SQUID amplifier for readout electronics of Transition Edge Sensors

SEEQC is pleased to submit this phase I SBIR proposal to develop SQUID amplifier for readout electronics of Transition Edge Sensors. One of the key active components in the readout electronics is the Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID) amplifier. This amplifier is the first amplifier to amplify signal from TESs, therefore it plays a pivotal role in determining the noise performance of experiments. SQUID amplifiers have multiple parameters, such as gain, power dissipation and input impedance, that should be optimized for different applications. These parameters are closely interrelated; therefore optimization requires considerations to trade off performance between these parameters. The project's primary objective is to develop a custom-designed SQUID amplifier tailored for MHz frequency domain multiplexing TES readout electronics, with a focus on reducing thermal dissipation while meeting SQUID performance requirements. By achieving these objectives, the project aims to significantly advance the capabilities of TES detector arrays for next generation experiments in HEP. The development of an improved SQUID amplifier will have far-reaching implications for research related to Dark Matter, early universe, and matter-antimatter asymmetry. The MHz frequency domain multiplexing readout technology is being developed for the next generation Cosmic Microwave Background experiment as well as Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay experiment. Scientists are exploring to extend its use to Dark Matter experiments. For the MHz frequency domain multiplexing technology, existing SQUID meet noise target for next generation experiments. However, experiments will benefit greatly if noise performance can be enhanced more and power dissipation from SQUID amplifier can be lowered. SEEQC being a quantum computing company will benefit from the proposed fabrication processes as the innovation fits well with the requirement of fabrication of low-noise scalable superconducting qubit arrays while controlling the number of input/output (I/O) channels. The 3D integrated circuit process is critical for building scalable, low noise quantum circuits, in which I/O is efficiently done using capacitive and inductive coupling between quantum array and classical control chip The introduction of an optimized and well characterized of a high-quality qubit process will be directly applicable to the needs of quantum computing community and hence SEEQC and will greatly increase business opportunities to the industry in general. During Phase-I we will design and fabricate SQUID amplifier with our standard fabrication process to see if we can design and fabricate SQUID amplifier that is close to the target without changing fabrication process. We will work closely with scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory for integration and characterization the SQUID amplifiers with multiplexing readout technology. During Phase II of the program, we will modify fabrication process to get true performance of SQUID amplifier to meet unique requirements of different experiments. For example, CMB experiments can tolerate more power dissipation than Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay experiments. Similarly, there are different requirement for different use cases. Therefore we will develop library of SQUID designs such that future HEP experiments will be able to order SQUID that will meet their needs from SEEQC.