Project description
Superconducting amplifiers for ultra-sensitive instrumentation in scientific research
Superconducting parametric amplifiers are cutting-edge devices that boost the detection of extremely weak signals. Compact, energy-efficient with negligible heat dissipation, they offer ultra-low noise quantum-limited performance, limited only by nature, across a wide frequency range. The ERC-funded SPARTAN-FX project aims to enhance and extend the functionality of these amplifiers for use in astronomy and physics, including the search for dark matter and high-fidelity readout of quantum computational platforms. Researchers will develop improved versions to replace current technologies in large telescopes and ultra-sensitive experiments while also exploring new materials to enable operation at higher temperatures and frequencies. These advancements could also benefit fields like quantum communication and remote sensing.
Objective
The emerging technology of superconducting parametric amplifiers (SPAs) can achieve quantum-limited sensitivity over a broad bandwidth by utilizing the wave-mixing mechanism in a nonlinear transmission medium. They are compact, easy to fabricate with planar circuit technology, have ultra-low heat dissipation, and can be integrated directly with other detector circuits. Their performance surpasses that of the state-of-the-art high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) amplifiers, and they can operate from radio to THz frequencies. Therefore, they have the potential to revolutionize almost every kind of microwave, millimetre (mm), and sub-mm instrumentation, from observational astronomy to fundamental physics experiments such as dark matter searches, quantum information platforms, and neutrino mass determination.
In this proposal, I will:
1. Develop practical ultra-broadband quantum amplifiers for deployment to mm/sub-mm/THz astronomical receivers and fundamental physics experiments.
2. Develop novel ultra-compact parametric frequency converters to replace traditional superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) mixers and Schottky local oscillator (LO) technologies, enabling the construction of large pixel-count systems for mm-wave heterodyne receivers such as the Atacama Large Millimetre/sub-mm Array (ALMA) and Event Horizon Telescopes (EHT).
3. Explore high critical temperature superconductors to extend the operation of these parametric devices into higher bath temperatures and frequencies in the supra-THz regime, potentially replacing hot electron bolometer (HEB) mixers and quantum cascade lasers (QCLs).
The successful delivery of these outcomes marks a paradigm shift in mm/sub-mm/THz instrumentation, replacing all the core technologies used in this regime with a single integratable SPA technology. This will also have a significant impact on many other fields such as telecommunications, medical applications, and remote sensing, among others.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
- Parametric amplifiers
- travelling wave
- quantum electronics
- tunnel junctions
- kinetic inductance
- thin films
- high gap superconductor
- high critical temperature
- millimetre
- sub-millimetre
- terahertz
- dark matter
- neutrino mass
- quantum information
- astronomical detectors
- receiver
- telescope
- event horizon telescope
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-COG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
OX1 2JD Oxford
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.