Flux Pumped Kerr-Free Parametric Amplifier

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2602.13563v1
• Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2026 02:45:37 GMT
• Title: Flux Pumped Kerr-Free Parametric Amplifier
• Authors: Kagan Yanik, Irwin Huang, Bibek Bhandari, Bingcheng Qing, Ahmed Hajr, Ke Wang, David I. Santiago, Irfan Siddiqi, Justin Dressel, Andrew N. Jordan,
• Abstract summary: The Kerr-nonlinearity can be eliminated and the effective Hamiltonian reduces to that of a degenerate parametric amplifier.<n>We show that the deviations from ideal DPA behavior introduced by higher-order terms are significantly weaker than those associated with a Kerr nonlinearity.<n>Our analysis predicts phase-preserving gain and efficiency approaching the quantum limit, with robust operation demonstrated up to 25 dB of gain.
• Score: 1.4422925691766684
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Abstract: We propose a flux-pumped superconducting parametric amplifier based on symmetrically threaded superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) that achieves a Kerr-free operating point under suitable drive conditions. Eliminating the Kerr nonlinearity is advantageous for quantum-limited amplification, as it mitigates unwanted distortions in squeezing and prevents degradation of both gain and quantum efficiency in the high-gain strong drive regime. By replacing the central junction in the symmetrically threaded SQUIDs (STS) configuration with a linear inductor, we find that the Kerr-nonlinearity can be eliminated and the effective Hamiltonian reduces to that of a degenerate parametric amplifier (DPA), up to higher-order corrections in the zero-point fluctuations of the superconducting phase operator. We show that the deviations from ideal DPA behavior introduced by these higher-order terms are significantly weaker than those associated with a Kerr nonlinearity. Consequently, the STS design can be driven strongly while maintaining near-quantum-limited performance at the Kerr-free point. Our analysis predicts phase-preserving gain and efficiency approaching the quantum limit, with robust operation demonstrated up to 25 dB of gain.

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