Patents by Inventor Robert Francis McDermott

Robert Francis McDermott 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).

  • Publication number: 20220156620
    Abstract: The disclosed technology is directed to systems and methods for deterministic reset of superconducting qubit and cavity modes with a microwave photon counter. The system comprises a multiplicity of qubit-microwave photon counter pairs coupled by a qubit-qubit coupling. Each of the qubit-microwave photon counter pairs comprise a qubit circuit, a microwave photon counter circuit, and a resonant cavity coupling the qubit circuit and the microwave photon counter circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Francis McDermott, III, Alexander M. Opremcak
  • Patent number: 10789123
    Abstract: A quantum computer architecture employs logical qubits that are constructed from a concatenation of doubly periodic Josephson junction circuits. The series concatenation of the doubly periodic Josephson junction circuits provides exponential robustness against local noise. It is possible to perform discrete Clifford group rotations and entangling operations on the logical qubits without leaving the protected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Lev Ioffe, Lara Faoro, Robert Francis McDermott
  • Publication number: 20200250564
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling superconducting qubits is provided. In some aspects the method includes assembling, using a controller of a quantum computing system, a pulse subsequence that comprises pairs of voltage pulses timed symmetrically with respect to a period corresponding to a qubit frequency of a superconducting qubit in the quantum computing system. The method also includes generating, using the controller, a pulse sequence using a repetition of a pulse subsequence. The method further includes controlling the superconducting qubit by applying the pulse sequence to the superconducting qubit using a single flux quantum (“SFQ”) driver coupled thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Kangbo Li, Robert Francis McDermott, III, Maxim George Vavilov
  • Patent number: 10726351
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling superconducting qubits is provided. In some aspects the method includes assembling, using a controller of a quantum computing system, a pulse subsequence that comprises pairs of voltage pulses timed symmetrically with respect to a period corresponding to a qubit frequency of a superconducting qubit in the quantum computing system. The method also includes generating, using the controller, a pulse sequence using a repetition of a pulse subsequence. The method further includes controlling the superconducting qubit by applying the pulse sequence to the superconducting qubit using a single flux quantum (“SFQ”) driver coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kangbo Li, Robert Francis McDermott, III, Maxim George Vavilov
  • Publication number: 20190324846
    Abstract: A quantum computer architecture employs logical qubits that are constructed from a concatenation of doubly periodic Josephson junction circuits. The series concatenation of the doubly periodic Josephson junction circuits provides exponential robustness against local noise. It is possible to perform discrete Clifford group rotations and entangling operations on the logical qubits without leaving the protected state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Lev Ioffe, Lara Faoro, Robert Francis McDermott
  • Patent number: 9692423
    Abstract: A system for quantum computation and a readout method using the same are provided. In some aspects, the system includes at least one qubit circuit coupled to a resonant cavity, wherein each of the at least one qubit circuit is described by multiple quantum states, and a controller configured to provide microwave irradiation to the resonant cavity such that a quantum state information of the at least one qubit circuit is transferred to a resonant cavity occupation. The system also includes a readout circuit, coupled to the resonant cavity, configured to receive signals corresponding to the resonant cavity occupation, and generate an output indicative of the quantum states of the at least one qubit circuit. Optionally, the system further includes at least one single flux quantum (“SFQ”) circuit coupled to the readout circuit and configured to receive the output therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, UNIVERSITAET DES SAARLANDES
    Inventors: Robert Francis McDermott, III, Britton Louis Thomas Plourde, Maxim George Vavilov, Frank Karsten Wilhelm-Mauch, Luke Colin Gene Govia, Emily Joy Pritchett
  • Patent number: 9490112
    Abstract: A system and method for characterizing incident ions are provided. The method includes positioning a transmission line detector to receive incident ions, the transmission line detector comprising a superconducting meandering wire defining a detection area for incident ions, and applying a bias current to the transmission line detector. The method also includes detecting a first signal produced in the transmission line detector due to an ion impacting the detection area, and detecting a second signal produced in the transmission line detector due to the ion impacting the detection area. The method further includes analyzing the first signal and the second signal to characterize the ion. In some aspects, the method further includes identifying a delay between the first signal and the second signal to determine, using the identified delay, a location of the ion on the detection area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Francis McDermott, III, Joseph Robert Suttle
  • Publication number: 20160260596
    Abstract: A system and method for characterizing incident ions are provided. The method includes positioning a transmission line detector to receive incident ions, the transmission line detector comprising a superconducting meandering wire defining a detection area for incident ions, and applying a bias current to the transmission line detector. The method also includes detecting a first signal produced in the transmission line detector due to an ion impacting the detection area, and detecting a second signal produced in the transmission line detector due to the ion impacting the detection area. The method further includes analyzing the first signal and the second signal to characterize the ion. In some aspects, the method further includes identifying a delay between the first signal and the second signal to determine, using the identified delay, a location of the ion on the detection area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Francis McDermott III, Joseph Robert Suttle
  • Patent number: 9437800
    Abstract: Systems and methods for suppressing magnetically active surface defects in superconducting quantum circuits are provided. A method includes providing one or more superconducting quantum circuits, and arranging the one or more superconducting quantum circuits in a hermetic enclosure capable of isolating the one or more superconducting circuits from ambient surroundings. The method also includes controlling an environment in the hermetic enclosure to suppress magnetically active surface defects associated with the one or more superconducting quantum circuits. In some aspects, the method further includes introducing an inert gas into the hermetic enclosure to passivate a surface of the one or more superconducting quantum circuits. In other aspects, the method further includes coating a surface of the one or more superconducting circuits with a non-magnetic encapsulation layer. In yet other aspects, the method further includes irradiating the one or more superconducting circuits using ultraviolet light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert Francis McDermott, III, Pradeep Kumar
  • Publication number: 20160254434
    Abstract: Systems and methods for suppressing magnetically active surface defects in superconducting quantum circuits are provided. A method includes providing one or more superconducting quantum circuits, and arranging the one or more superconducting quantum circuits in a hermetic enclosure capable of isolating the one or more superconducting circuits from ambient surroundings. The method also includes controlling an environment in the hermetic enclosure to suppress magnetically active surface defects associated with the one or more superconducting quantum circuits. In some aspects, the method further includes introducing an inert gas into the hermetic enclosure to passivate a surface of the one or more superconducting quantum circuits. In other aspects, the method further includes coating a surface of the one or more superconducting circuits with a non-magnetic encapsulation layer. In yet other aspects, the method further includes irradiating the one or more superconducting circuits using ultraviolet light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Francis McDermott III, Pradeep Kumar
  • Patent number: 9425804
    Abstract: A system and methods for controlling superconducting quantum circuits are provided. The system includes at least one superconducting quantum circuit described by multiple quantum states, and at least one single flux quantum (“SFQ”) control circuit configured to generate a voltage pulse sequence that includes a plurality of voltage pulses temporally separated by a pulse-to-pulse spacing timed to a resonance period. The system also includes at least one coupling between the at least one superconducting quantum circuit and the at least one SFQ control circuit configured to transmit the voltage pulse sequence generated using the SFQ control circuit to the at least one superconducting quantum circuit. In some aspects, the system further includes a controller system configured to optimize the pulse-to-pulse spacing to minimize a gate infidelity due to at least one of a timing error, a timing jitter and a weak qubit anharmonicity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert Francis McDermott, III, Maxim G. Vavilov
  • Publication number: 20160191060
    Abstract: A system for quantum computation and a readout method using the same are provided. In some aspects, the system includes at least one qubit circuit coupled to a resonant cavity, wherein each of the at least one qubit circuit is described by multiple quantum states, and a controller configured to provide microwave irradiation to the resonant cavity such that a quantum state information of the at least one qubit circuit is transferred to a resonant cavity occupation. The system also includes a readout circuit, coupled to the resonant cavity, configured to receive signals corresponding to the resonant cavity occupation, and generate an output indicative of the quantum states of the at least one qubit circuit. Optionally, the system further includes at least one single flux quantum (“SFQ”) circuit coupled to the readout circuit and configured to receive the output therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Francis McDermott, III, Britton Louis Thomas Plourde, Maxim George Vavilov, Frank Karsten Wilhelm-Mauch, Luke Colin Gene Govia, Emily Joy Pritchett
  • Publication number: 20150358022
    Abstract: A system and methods for controlling superconducting quantum circuits are provided. The system includes at least one superconducting quantum circuit described by multiple quantum states, and at least one single flux quantum (“SFQ”) control circuit configured to generate a voltage pulse sequence that includes a plurality of voltage pulses temporally separated by a pulse-to-pulse spacing timed to a resonance period. The system also includes at least one coupling between the at least one superconducting quantum circuit and the at least one SFQ control circuit configured to transmit the voltage pulse sequence generated using the SFQ control circuit to the at least one superconducting quantum circuit. In some aspects, the system further includes a controller system configured to optimize the pulse-to-pulse spacing to minimize a gate infidelity due to at least one of a timing error, a timing jitter and a weak qubit anharmonicity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Francis McDermott, III, Maxim G. Vavilov
  • Patent number: 8861619
    Abstract: A system and method for operating an amplifier system is provided. The amplifier system includes an input providing a direct coupling configured to receive a high-frequency input signal having a frequency in at least one of a radiofrequency (RF) and microwave range. The amplifier system also includes an amplifier including a dielectric material separating at least two superconducting layers forming an amplifier loop configured to receive the high-frequency input signal and deliver an amplified signal. The amplifier system includes an output providing a direct coupling configured to deliver the amplified signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert Francis McDermott, David Hover, Guilhem Jean-Antoine Ribeill, Yung-Fu Chen
  • Publication number: 20130043945
    Abstract: A system and method for operating an amplifier system is provided. The amplifier system includes an input providing a direct coupling configured to receive a high-frequency input signal having a frequency in at least one of a radiofrequency (RF) and microwave range. The amplifier system also includes an amplifier including a dielectric material separating at least two superconducting layers forming an amplifier loop configured to receive the high-frequency input signal and deliver an amplified signal. The amplifier system includes an output providing a direct coupling configured to deliver the amplified signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Francis McDermott, David Hover, Guilhem Jean-Antoine Ribeill, Yung-Fu Chen