Disordered superconductors provide access to a unique regime of superconducting quantum circuits due to their large kinetic inductance, strong intrinsic nonlinearity, and high characteristic impedance. These properties enable compact microwave structures with strong electric field confinement, opening new opportunities for engineered light–matter interactions in reduced footprints. We are developing a DC-tunable, high-impedance superconducting nanowire platform based on TiN, a strongly disordered superconductor. The large kinetic inductance of TiN nanowires enables characteristic impedances exceeding the kΩ regime, substantially enhancing coupling to atomic-scale electric dipoles and nonlinear materials for transduction. By injecting a DC bias current, the kinetic inductance and microwave dispersion can be continuously tuned.
We will use the combination of high impedance and tunability to enable systematic investigations of microscopic defect physics. In addition, we will use the same platform in traveling-wave microwave–optical quantum transduction, where large impedance enhances electromechanical and electro-optic coupling strengths and DC tunability provides an additional degree of freedom for phase matching. Our goal is to establish high-impedance kinetic-inductance nanowires as a versatile platform for hybrid quantum systems and coherent microwave–optical conversion.
Project is currently funded by: Federal