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Introduction
The Josephson efect has revolutionised accurate
electrical measurement. Practical systems based on
arrays of junctions have provided calibration of dc
voltage for 25 years. In this paper, we present the
design of a system able to deliver quantum accurate
measurements of not only dc voltage, but of arbitrary
voltage waveforms in real time. This is achieved by
utilising the property of a Josephson junction whereby
a current pulse applied to the junction leads to a
quantised voltage-time integral pulse. By averaging
these pulses over a defned period of time, a quantum
accurate voltage is obtained. We describe how by
using a novel optoelectronic coupling to Josephson
junctions arrays (JJAs), macroscopic voltage levels
( > 1V) will be achieved.
Quantum Electrical Metrology
Dissemination of quantum accurate dc voltage and
resistance is routinely achieved via the Josephson
efect and quantum Hall resistance respectively.
Worldwide research efort (e.g. [1]) is underway to
develop a quantum current standard to complete the
quantum metrological triangle. However, ac voltage
calibration is reliant on a classical thermal transfer
method. There is increasing demand from industry
to be able to provide ac voltage calibration of high
performance A/D and D/A converters which requires a
quantum accurate arbitrary voltage waveform.
AC voltage metrology:
Method 1
Quantum accurate sinusoidal voltage waveforms have
been demonstrated using programmable, binary
segmented JJAs up to kHz frequencies [2]. A binary
bias source switches on appropriate segments of the
array to achieve the required voltage. However, this
technology is not suitable for higher frequencies since
the JJA takes several 100 ns to stabilise after switching.
AC voltage metrology:
Method 2
The advantage of the pulse-driven JJAs, used here,
is that they can operate at higher frequencies with
hundreds of kHz being demonstrated (for a review
see [3]). An arbitrary current pulse applied to the
JJA generates a voltage pulse of quantised area (e.g.
[4]). The desired quantum accurate voltage output is
generated by applying an appropriate sequence of
pulses to the JJA.
Array Design
JJAs are fabricated by Physikalisch-Technische
Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany. They consist of SNSNS
junctions, where S is superconductor (Nb) and N is
normal metal (NbSi), which are linked in a double-
stacked design. These JJAs operate at 4.2 K in a liquid
helium cryostat. Low pass fltering of the output is
provided on-chip.
Novel optoelectronic coupling
An optoelectronic input, using a photodiode (PD)
can be used to drive the JJA [5]. Several JJAs can
then be connected in series to provide a larger
(industrial level) output voltage whilst being driven
in parallel. Optoelectronic coupling also reduces the
electrical noise transmitted from the room
temperature electronics.
Quantum Voltage Digitiser
The quantum voltage digitiser uses a delta sigma
control loop to measure an arbitrary voltage waveform
in terms of the JJA output. The comparator output is
used to generate a pulse stream which drives a Mach-
Zehnder modulator, creating a GHz rate pulse stream
of optical pulses which provide the JJA drive via a
photodiode located inside the cryostat. The resultant
output (fast, quantised-area voltage pulses) are fed
back around the loop via a low pass flter.
Preliminary Data
The temporal response of a commercial InGaAs
photodiode was characterised at room temperature
under a variety of conditions (spot size, spot position,
over-flled mode, under-flled mode, power levels, and
frequency) and was found to be suitable for driving
the JJAs.
Acknowledgments
This work was co-funded by the European Union within the
European Metrology Research Program (EMRP) joint research
project SIB59 Q-WAVE and by the UK National Measurement Ofce
Electromagnetics and Time Program. The EMRP is jointly funded
by the EMRP participating countries within EURAMET and the
European Union.
References
[1] S. P. Giblin, M. Kataoka, J. D. Fletcher, P. See, T. J. B. M. Janssen,
J. P. Grifths, G. A. C. Jones, I. Farrer, D. A. Ritchie, Towards a
quantum representation of the ampere using single electron
pumps., Nat. Commun., 3:930 doi: 10.1038/ncomms1935 (2012).
[2] J. M. Williams, D. Henderson, J. Pickering, R. Behr, F. Muller
and P. Scheibenreiter, Quantum-referenced voltage waveform
synthesizer, IET Sci. Meas. Technol., Vol. 5, no. 5, pp. 163 174
(2011).
[3] R. Behr, O. Kieler, J. Kohlmann, F. Mller and L. Palafox,
Development and metrological applications of Josephson arrays
at PTB, Meas. Sci. Technol., Vol. 23, no. 12, 124002 (19 pp.) (2012).
[4] S. P. Benz, P. D. Dresselhaus, A. Rfenacht, N. F. Bergren,
J. R. Kinard and R. Landim, Progress toward a 1 V pulse-driven AC
Josephson voltage standard, IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas., Vol. 58,
no. 4, pp. 838 843 (2009).
[5] J. M. Williams, T. J. B. M. Janssen, L. Palafox, D. A. Humphreys,
R. Behr, J. Kohlmann and F. Muller, The simulation and
measurement of the response of Josephson junctions to
optoelectronically generated short pulses, Supercond. Sci.
Technol., Vol. 17, no. 6, pp. 815 818 (2004).
Quantum Accurate Measurement of Arbitrary
Voltage Waveforms Using Pulse-Driven
Josephson Junction Arrays
Jane Ireland
1
, Jonathan Williams
1
, Oliver Kieler
2
, Johannes Kohlmann
2
,
Ralf Behr
2
, Jarle Gran
3
, Helge Malmbekk
3
, Kre Lind
3
and Chi Kwong Tang
3
1
National Physical Laboratory, Queens Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, UK
2
Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Bundesallee 100, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany
3
Justervesenet, P.O. Box 170, NO-2027 Kjeller, Norway
jane.ireland@npl.co.uk