English

High-gain and large-bandwidth Josephson parametric amplifier influenced by Fabry-P\'erot interference

Quantum Physics 2026-04-16 v1

Abstract

Quantum-limited parametric amplifiers are essential components for many quantum technologies operating in the microwave domain. Achieving both high gain and broad bandwidth, however, remains challenging due to trade-offs between gain and bandwidth, pump efficiency, and dynamic range. Moreover, high-gain broadband amplifiers become increasingly sensitive to their external electromagnetic environment, which can distort their gain spectra and hinder reliable operation. Here, we present an accurate theoretical model and a systematic design methodology for a flux-driven, lumped-element Josephson parametric amplifier based on a SQUID array. Our device achieves near-quantum-limited, phase-preserving amplification with a net gain of 20 (maximally 44) dB and a 3-dB bandwidth of \sim50 (\lesssim0.2) MHz. We further show that the gain spectra exhibit pronounced sensitivity to weak reflections in the input-output waveguide caused by impedance mismatches in the microwave environment. By incorporating Fabry-P\'erot-type interference into a quantum input-output model, we analytically reproduce these complex spectral features and identify how they depend on the physical parameters of the environment. More generally, our results provide a practical framework for separating the intrinsic dynamics of parametric amplifiers from environmental effects. This approach enables reliable characterization and optimization of amplifier performance while providing a systematic strategy for diagnosing microwave reflections and engineering environmental interference to shape amplifier gain spectra, thereby offering a pathway toward robust, reproducible, and truly quantum-limited microwave amplification.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2604.13881,
  title  = {High-gain and large-bandwidth Josephson parametric amplifier influenced by Fabry-P\'erot interference},
  author = {Shingo Kono and Jesper Ilves and Arjan F. van Loo and Yoshiki Sunada and C. W. Sandbo Chang and Yutaka Takeda and Kenshi Yuki and Takeaki Miyamura and Kohei Matsuura and Kazuki Koshino and Yasunobu Nakamura},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2604.13881},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

33 pages, 18 figures