Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a superconducting traveling-wave parametric amplifier (TWPA) with improved control and performance. In a preferred embodiment, the amplifier comprises an integrated array of symmetric rf-SQUIDs in a transmission line structure. A device was fabricated using niobium superconducting integrated circuits, and confirmed predicted performance, with a maximum gain up to 17 dB and a bandwidth of 4 GHz. A similar device can be applied as a low-noise, low-dissipation microwave amplifier for output from a superconducting quantum computer, or as a preamplifier, switch, or frequency converter for a sensitive microwave receiver, or as an output amplifier for a frequency-multiplexed superconducting detector array.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including a photonic integrated circuit package, including a photonic integrated circuit chip, including a lumped active optical element; an electrode configured to receive an electrical signal, where at least one characteristics of the lumped active optical element is changed based on the electrical signal received by the electrode; a ground electrode; and a bond contact electrically coupled to the electrode; and an interposer bonded to at least a portion of the photonic integrated circuit chip, the interposer including a conductive trace formed on a surface of the interposer, the conductive trace electrically coupled to a source of the electrical signal; a ground trace; and a conductive via bonded with the bond contact of the photonic integrated circuit chip, the conductive via electrically coupled to the conductive trace to provide the electrical signal to the electrode of the photonic integrated circuit chip.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) wave generator includes a nonlinear transmission line and a pulse generator. The nonlinear transmission line has in order an input section, a magnetic section, and an output section. The magnetic section includes a nonlinear magnetic material. The pulse generator is configured to provide an input pulse to the input section which is converted to an RF wave by the nonlinear transmission line. A waveform of the input pulse is such that the generated RF wave is parametrically amplified.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-invasive, real time analysis of physical and chemical properties of a medium employs electromagnetic waves induced by an excitation transducer within longitudinally magnetized strips of ferromagnetic film serving as a waveguide. A physical medium juxtaposed to the wave guide induces a charge center encountered by the pulsed electromagnetic waves. The characteristics of changes induced by the physical medium within the pulsed electromagnetic wave, such as permittivity and permeability effects, boundary oscillations and phase changes are read by detection transducers and transmitted to software for analysis of the characteristics of the physical medium.

Abstract: A semiconductor detector device comprising: a detector element comprising at least one active detector layer of piezoelectric semiconductor material; a stress inducing element arranged to act in use on the detector element to generate therein a predetermined pattern of stress, and consequently a predetermined electrical field via the piezoelectric effect. A method of fabrication and of operation of a semiconductor detector device embodying these principles are also described.

Abstract: Various optical isolators are disclosed. One embodiment provides an optical isolator comprising a waveguide that includes polymer magneto-optical media. In a particular embodiment, the waveguide is dimensioned for single mode operation in the selected isolation range. A cross-section of the waveguide is inhomogeneous in terms of magneto-optical materials. Polymer magneto-optical material is a part of the optical waveguide structure. The inhomogeneity induces the propagation constant shift, which is propagation-direction-dependent. An embodiment is characterized by a cutoff frequency for forward propagating waves that is different than the cutoff frequency for reverse waves; the dimensions and direction of magnetization of the waveguide can be tailored so that, in a particular embodiment, the cutoff frequency for forward propagating waves is lower than the cutoff frequency for reverse waves.

Abstract: A traveling wave kinetic inductance parametric amplifier comprises a superconducting transmission line and a dispersion control element. The transmission line can include periodic variations of its dimension along its length. The superconducting material can include a high normal state resistivity material. In some instances the high normal state resistivity material includes nitrogen and a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, niobium and vanadium. The traveling wave kinetic inductance parametric amplifier is expected to exhibit a noise temperature below 100 mK/GHz.

Abstract: A travelling wave tube amplifier includes: a travelling wave tube comprising a cathode, a helix, an RF input, an RF output, and a plurality of collectors, and an electronic power conditioner providing power supply and electrode polarization to said travelling wave tube, wherein said electronic power conditioner comprises flexibility control means allowing to adjust, via control commands sent through a databus, the helix to cathode voltage and the collector voltages.

Abstract: Various apparatuses and methods for a vacuum electronic device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a vacuum electronic device includes a vacuum housing, an array of slow wave structures inside the vacuum housing sharing a common electron beam tunnel, an electron beam input port at a first end of the common electron beam tunnel, and an electron beam output port at a second end of the common electron beam tunnel.

Abstract: Various apparatuses and methods for a vacuum electronic device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a vacuum electronic device includes a vacuum housing, an array of slow wave structures inside the vacuum housing sharing a common electron beam tunnel, an electron beam input port at a first end of the common electron beam tunnel, and an electron beam output port at a second end of the common electron beam tunnel.

Abstract: A traveling wave kinetic inductance parametric amplifier comprises a superconducting transmission line and a dispersion control element. The transmission line can include periodic variations of its dimension along its length. The superconducting material can include a high normal state resistivity material. In some instances the high normal state resistivity material includes nitrogen and a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, niobium and vanadium. The traveling wave kinetic inductance parametric amplifier is expected to exhibit a noise temperature below 100 mK/GHz.

Abstract: A system for sensing characteristics of the environment is disclosed. Sensors utilize exponential growth of a signal initiated by interaction of a sensor element with characteristics of the environment. Specific substances in the environment can be detected. The sensor element may be intrinsically sensitive to the specific substance or can be coated with a material that is sensitive to the specific substance. The sensor component is designed such that it can be made to cause exponential growth of a system signal. The exponential growth of the sensor signal is produced by parametric amplification.

Abstract: A microwave parametric amplifier uses a circulator to receive an input signal which is provided through a transfer port to an input signal resonant cavity. A pump signal, which is preferably a harmonic of the input signal, is received into a pump signal cavity which is defined by a barrier that is reflective to the pump signal and transmissive to the input signal. A non-linear medium is positioned within the pump signal cavity to produce carriers due to the energy of the pump signal. The input signal interacts with the carriers to produce an amplified input signal which is conveyed from the input signal cavity through the circulator to an output port of the circulator.

Abstract: A Q-switched parametric cavity microwave amplifier has input and output ports for receiving an input signal and producing a switched amplified output signal. A pump signal, preferably at a harmonic of the input signal, is received through a pump signal port and provided to a pump signal cavity within a housing. The pump signal interacts with a non-linear medium to produce carriers. A frequency selective layer reflects the pump signal but permits the input signal to pass therethrough. The input signal interacts with the carriers produced in the non-linear medium to enhance the signal present within the resonant cavity for the input signal. This transfers energy from the pump signal to the lower frequency input signal. A Q-switch is positioned in series with the output waveguide to cause energy to be stored within the input signal cavity. When the Q-switch is opened, a pulse is produced representing an amplified version of the input signal.