Patents by Inventor Richard G. Harris
Richard G. Harris has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11957065Abstract: Various techniques and apparatus permit fabrication of superconductive circuits. A superconducting integrated circuit comprising a superconducting stud via, a kinetic inductor, and a capacitor may be formed. Forming a superconducting stud via in a superconducting integrated circuit may include masking with a hard mask and masking with a soft mask. Forming a superconducting stud via in a superconducting integrated circuit may include depositing a dielectric etch stop layer. Interlayer misalignment in the fabrication of a superconducting integrated circuit may be measured by an electrical vernier. Interlayer misalignment in the fabrication of a superconducting integrated circuit may be measured by a chain of electrical verniers and a Wheatstone bridge. A superconducting integrated circuit with three or more metal layers may include an enclosed, matched, on-chip transmission line. A metal wiring layer in a superconducting integrated circuit may be encapsulated.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: 1372934 B.C. LTD.Inventors: Shuiyuan Huang, Byong H. Oh, Douglas P. Stadtler, Edward G. Sterpka, Paul I. Bunyk, Jed D. Whittaker, Fabio Altomare, Richard G. Harris, Colin C. Enderud, Loren J. Swenson, Nicolas C. Ladizinsky, Jason J. Yao, Eric G. Ladizinsky
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Publication number: 20240070497Abstract: Quantum processors having qubits with tunable capacitance are provided. The qubits include Josephson junctions shunted by capacitors and are tunably coupled to capacitance loops such that the resonant frequencies of the qubits and capacitance loops avoid entanglement with each other. Methods for tuning the capacitance of such qubits by varying the coupler's coupling strength are provided. These methods include methods for calibrating qubits' capacitance.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventor: Richard G. Harris
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Publication number: 20230370069Abstract: A logical qubit, a quantum processor, and a method of performing an operation on the logical qubit are discussed. The logical qubit includes first and second tunable couplers and a plurality of fixed couplers, with at least one fixed coupler providing four physical qubit interaction. The first and second tunable couplers and the fixed couplers enforce even parity in any connected qubits. The logical qubit has a plurality of physical qubits with qubits connected to the first tunable coupler and a first fixed coupler, qubits connected to the second tunable coupler and a second fixed coupler, and qubits connected between the first fixed coupler and the second fixed coupler. Each fixed coupler is connected to at least two physical qubits and at least two paths connect the first tunable coupler and the second tunable coupler, with one path communicating with a microwave line.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2022Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Mohammad H. Amin, Richard G. Harris
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Patent number: 11790259Abstract: Quantum processors having qubits with tunable capacitance are provided. The qubits include Josephson junctions shunted by capacitors and are tunably coupled to capacitance loops such that the resonant frequencies of the qubits and capacitance loops avoid entanglement with each other. Methods for tuning the capacitance of such qubits by varying the coupler's coupling strength are provided. These methods include methods for calibrating qubits' capacitance.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: D-WAVE SYSTEMS INC.Inventor: Richard G. Harris
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Publication number: 20230271105Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the performance of dilution refrigeration systems are described. Filters and traps employed in the helium circuit of a dilution refrigerator may be modified to improve performance. Some traps may be designed to harness cryocondensation as opposed to cryoadsorption. A cryocondensation trap employs a cryocondensation surface having a high thermal conductivity and a high specific heat with a binding energy that preferably matches at least one contaminant but does not match helium. Multiple traps may be coupled in series in the helium circuit, with each trap designed to trap a specific contaminant or set of contaminants. Both cryocondensation and cryoadsorption may be exploited among multiple traps.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Inventors: Jacob Craig Petroff, Richard G. Harris
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Patent number: 11730066Abstract: Approaches useful to operation of scalable processors with ever larger numbers of logic devices (e.g., qubits) advantageously take advantage of QFPs, for example to implement shift registers, multiplexers (i.e., MUXs), de-multiplexers (i.e., DEMUXs), and permanent magnetic memories (i.e., PMMs), and the like, and/or employ XY or XYZ addressing schemes, and/or employ control lines that extend in a “braided” pattern across an array of devices. Many of these described approaches are particularly suited for implementing input to and/or output from such processors. Superconducting quantum processors comprising superconducting digital-analog converters (DACs) are provided. The DACs may use kinetic inductance to store energy via thin-film superconducting materials and/or series of Josephson junctions, and may use single-loop or multi-loop designs. Particular constructions of energy storage elements are disclosed, including meandering structures.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: 1372934 B.C. LTD.Inventors: Mark W. Johnson, Paul I. Bunyk, Andrew J. Berkley, Richard G. Harris, Kelly T. R. Boothby, Loren J. Swenson, Emile M. Hoskinson, Christopher B. Rich, Jan E. S. Johansson
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Publication number: 20230143506Abstract: Approaches useful to operation of scalable processors with ever larger numbers of logic devices (e.g., qubits) advantageously take advantage of QFPs, for example to implement shift registers, multiplexers (i.e., MUXs), de-multiplexers (i.e., DEMUXs), and permanent magnetic memories (i.e., PMMs), and the like, and/or employ XY or XYZ addressing schemes, and/or employ control lines that extend in a “braided” pattern across an array of devices. Many of these described approaches are particularly suited for implementing input to and/or output from such processors. Superconducting quantum processors comprising superconducting digital-analog converters (DACs) are provided. The DACs may use kinetic inductance to store energy via thin-film superconducting materials and/or series of Josephson junctions, and may use single-loop or multi-loop designs. Particular constructions of energy storage elements are disclosed, including meandering structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2021Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventors: Mark W. Johnson, Paul I. Bunyk, Andrew J. Berkley, Richard G. Harris, Kelly T. R. Boothby, Loren J. Swenson, Emile M. Hoskinson, Christopher B. Rich, Jan E. S. Johansson
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Publication number: 20230106489Abstract: A superconducting circuit includes four superconducting qubits communicatively coupled by a 4-qubit even-parity stabilizer. The 4 -qubit even-parity stabilizer includes a superconducting stabilizer loop, and four inductances, each inductance inductively communicatively coupled to an inductance of a respective one of the four superconducting qubits. The 4-qubit even-parity stabilizer also includes a parity-enforcing super-conducting qubit communicatively coupled to the superconducting loop. A quantum processor comprises four Josephson parametric amplifiers communicatively coupled by a 4-qubit even-parity stabilizer. The Josephson parametric amplifiers comprise pairs of superconducting microwave resonators communicatively coupled by a compound-compound Josephson junction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2021Publication date: April 6, 2023Inventor: Richard G. Harris
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Patent number: 11593695Abstract: A hybrid computing system for solving a computational problem includes a digital processor, a quantum processor having qubits and coupling devices that together define a working graph of the quantum processor, and at least one nontransitory processor-readable medium communicatively coupleable to the digital processor which stores at least one of processor-executable instructions or data. The digital processor receives a computational problem, and programs the quantum processor with a first set of bias fields and a first set of coupling strengths. The quantum processor generates samples as potential solutions to an approximation of the problem. The digital processor updates the approximation by determining a second set of bias fields based at least in part on the first set of bias fields and a first set of mean fields that are based at least in part on the first set of samples and coupling strengths of one or more virtual coupling devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: D-WAVE SYSTEMS INC.Inventors: William W. Bernoudy, Mohammad H. Amin, James A. King, Jeremy P. Hilton, Richard G. Harris, Andrew J. Berkley, Kelly T. R. Boothby
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Publication number: 20230027682Abstract: An analog computing system having a qubit which is provided with inductors positioned near to the qubit's Josephson junctions and inductors positioned far from the qubit's Josephson junctions. The near inductors exhibit capacitance-reducing behavior and the far inductors exhibit capacitance-increasing behavior as their respective inductances are increased. Near and far inductors can be tuned to homogenize the capacitance of the qubit across a range of programmable states based on predicted and target capacitance for the qubit. The inductors may be tuned to homogenize both capacitance and inductance.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2020Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventors: Reza Molavi, Mark H. Volkmann, Emile M. Hoskinson, Richard G. Harris, Trevor M. Lanting, Paul I. Bunyk, Andrew J. Berkley
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Publication number: 20230004851Abstract: A system and method for mitigating flux trapping in a superconducting integrated circuit. A first metal layer is formed having a first critical temperature and a first device, and a flux directing layer is formed having a second critical temperature. The flux directing layer is positioned in communication with an aperture location, and the aperture location is spaced from the first device to isolate the first device from flux trapped in the aperture. The superconducting integrated circuit is cooled from a first temperature that is above both the first and second critical temperatures to a second temperature that is less than both the first and second critical temperatures by a cryogenic refrigerator. A relative temperature difference between the first and second critical temperatures causes the flux directing layer to direct flux away from the first device and trap flux at the aperture location.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2020Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Richard G. Harris, Christopher B. Rich
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Patent number: 11348024Abstract: A quantum processor is operable as a universal adiabatic quantum computing system. The quantum processor includes physical qubits, with at least a first and second communicative coupling available between pairs of qubits via an in-situ tunable superconducting capacitive coupler and an in-situ tunable superconducting inductive coupler, respectively. Tunable couplers provide diagonal and off-diagonal coupling. Compound Josephson junctions (CJJs) of the tunable couplers are responsive to a flux bias to tune a sign and magnitude of a sum of a capacitance of a fixed capacitor and a tunable capacitance which is mediated across a pair of coupling capacitors. The qubits may be hybrid qubits, operable in a flux regime or a charge regime. Qubits may include a pair of CJJs that interrupt a loop of material and which are separated by an island of superconducting material which is voltage biased with respect to a qubit body.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2018Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: D-WAVE SYSTEMS INC.Inventors: Richard G. Harris, Mohammad H. Amin, Anatoly Smirnov
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Publication number: 20220020913Abstract: Apparatus and methods enable active compensation for unwanted discrepancies in the superconducting elements of a quantum processor. A qubit may include a primary compound Josephson junction (CJJ) structure, which may include at least a first secondary CJJ structure to enable compensation for Josephson junction asymmetry in the primary CJJ structure. A qubit may include a series LC-circuit coupled in parallel with a first CJJ structure to provide a tunable capacitance. A qubit control system may include means for tuning inductance of a qubit loop, for instance a tunable coupler inductively coupled to the qubit loop and controlled by a programming interface, or a CJJ structure coupled in series with the qubit loop and controlled by a programming interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventors: Richard G. Harris, Andrew J. Berkley, Jan Johansson, Mark Johnson, Mohammad Amin, Paul I. Bunyk
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Publication number: 20210384406Abstract: Various techniques and apparatus permit fabrication of superconductive circuits. A superconducting integrated circuit comprising a superconducting stud via, a kinetic inductor, and a capacitor may be formed. Forming a superconducting stud via in a superconducting integrated circuit may include masking with a hard mask and masking with a soft mask. Forming a superconducting stud via in a superconducting integrated circuit may include depositing a dielectric etch stop layer. Interlayer misalignment in the fabrication of a superconducting integrated circuit may be measured by an electrical vernier. Interlayer misalignment in the fabrication of a superconducting integrated circuit may be measured by a chain of electrical verniers and a Wheatstone bridge. A superconducting integrated circuit with three or more metal layers may include an enclosed, matched, on-chip transmission line. A metal wiring layer in a superconducting integrated circuit may be encapsulated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventors: Shuiyuan Huang, Byong H. Oh, Douglas P. Stadtler, Edward G. Sterpka, Paul I. Bunyk, Jed D. Whittaker, Fabio Altomare, Richard G. Harris, Colin C. Enderud, Loren J. Swenson, Nicolas C. Ladizinsky, Jason J. Yao, Eric G. Ladizinsky
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Patent number: 11182230Abstract: Methods for reducing errors in calibrated devices comprise detecting outliers, self-checking consistency of measurements, tuning device controls to target values, and absolutely calibrating devices via a first standard and cross-checking the results via a second standard. The first standard may be a calibrated current and the second calibration standard may be a calibrated frequency. A calibrated frequency may be a microwave signal applied to the body of a qubit. Qubit annealing controls can quickly lower and raise the tunnel barrier to measures the oscillation frequency of the qubit between two potential wells.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2019Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: D-WAVE SYSTEMS INC.Inventors: Andrew J. Berkley, Richard G. Harris
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Publication number: 20210304050Abstract: A system and method of implementing finite element modeling on a quantum processor is discussed. A representation of a computational problem including a boundary value problem and problem grid points is received by one or more processors. The problem grid points are mapped to a Hilbert space of the qubits of the quantum processor. The boundary value problem is transformed into a problem Hamiltonian. Instructions are transmitted to the quantum processor to cause the quantum processor to evolve from an initial state to a final state based on the problem Hamiltonian. The wavefunction amplitudes of the final state are measured, and the wavefunction amplitudes of the final state are mapped onto the problem grid points based on the Hilbert space of the qubits.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2021Publication date: September 30, 2021Inventor: Richard G. Harris
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Patent number: 11127893Abstract: Approaches useful to operation of scalable processors with ever larger numbers of logic devices (e.g., qubits) advantageously take advantage of QFPs, for example to implement shift registers, multiplexers (i.e., MUXs), de-multiplexers (i.e., DEMUXs), and permanent magnetic memories (i.e., PMMs), and the like, and/or employ XY or XYZ addressing schemes, and/or employ control lines that extend in a “braided” pattern across an array of devices. Many of these described approaches are particularly suited for implementing input to and/or output from such processors. Superconducting quantum processors comprising superconducting digital-analog converters (DACs) are provided. The DACs may use kinetic inductance to store energy via thin-film superconducting materials and/or series of Josephson junctions, and may use single-loop or multi-loop designs. Particular constructions of energy storage elements are disclosed, including meandering structures.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2017Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: D-WAVE SYSTEMS INC.Inventors: Mark W. Johnson, Paul I. Bunyk, Andrew J. Berkley, Richard G. Harris, Kelly T. R. Boothby, Loren J. Swenson, Emile M. Hoskinson, Christopher B. Rich, Jan E. S. Johansson
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Patent number: 11038095Abstract: Various techniques and apparatus permit fabrication of superconductive circuits. A superconducting integrated circuit comprising a superconducting stud via, a kinetic inductor, and a capacitor may be formed. Forming a superconducting stud via in a superconducting integrated circuit may include masking with a hard mask and masking with a soft mask. Forming a superconducting stud via in a superconducting integrated circuit may include depositing a dielectric etch stop layer. Interlayer misalignment in the fabrication of a superconducting integrated circuit may be measured by an electrical vernier. Interlayer misalignment in the fabrication of a superconducting integrated circuit may be measured by a chain of electrical verniers and a Wheatstone bridge. A superconducting integrated circuit with three or more metal layers may include an enclosed, matched, on-chip transmission line. A metal wiring layer in a superconducting integrated circuit may be encapsulated.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: D-WAVE SYSTEMS INC.Inventors: Shuiyuan Huang, Byong H. Oh, Douglas P. Stadtler, Edward G. Sterpka, Paul I. Bunyk, Jed D. Whittaker, Fabio Altomare, Richard G. Harris, Colin C. Enderud, Loren J. Swenson, Nicolas C. Ladizinsky, Jason J. Yao, Eric G. Ladizinsky
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Patent number: 11031537Abstract: Apparatus and methods enable active compensation for unwanted discrepancies in the superconducting elements of a quantum processor. A qubit may include a primary compound Josephson junction (CJJ) structure, which may include at least a first secondary CJJ structure to enable compensation for Josephson junction asymmetry in the primary CJJ structure. A qubit may include a series LC-circuit coupled in parallel with a first CJJ structure to provide a tunable capacitance. A qubit control system may include means for tuning inductance of a qubit loop, for instance a tunable coupler inductively coupled to the qubit loop and controlled by a programming interface, or a CJJ structure coupled in series with the qubit loop and controlled by a programming interface.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2019Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: D-WAVE SYSTEMS INC.Inventors: Richard G. Harris, Andrew J. Berkley, Jan Johansson, Mark Johnson, Mohammad Amin, Paul I. Bunyk
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Patent number: 11023821Abstract: A system and method of operation embeds a three-dimensional structure in a topology of an analog processor, for example a quantum processor. The analog processor may include a plurality of qubits arranged in tiles or cells. A number of qubits and communicatively coupled as logical qubits, each logical qubit which span across a plurality of tiles or cells of the qubits. Communicatively coupling between qubits of any given logical qubit can be implemented via application or assignment of a first ferromagnetic coupling strength to each of a number of couplers that communicatively couple the respective qubits in the logical qubit. Other ferromagnetic coupling strengths can be applied or assigned to couplers that communicatively couple qubits that are not part of the logical qubit. The first ferromagnetic coupling strength may be substantially higher than the other ferromagnetic coupling strengths.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2018Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: D-WAVE SYSTEMS INC.Inventors: Richard G. Harris, Kelly T. R. Boothby, Andrew D. King