Special Physics Colloquium

Exploration de la “Table de Mendeleïev” des atomes artificiels supraconducteurs

Michel Devoret

Yale University & Collège de France

Is it possible to construct artificial atoms and molecules that would perform functions unattainable with natural ones? Superconducting integrated circuits serving as quantum bits illustrate the problem of engineering a controllable quantum electrodynamic system. A simple Lego-like set of three basic components - linear capacitances, linear inductances and non-linear Josephson inductances - can be combined with almost no limitations. Can circuit architecture mitigate or even eliminate decoherence due to defects of basic electrical constituents? This key questions will be discussed by reviewing the present entries of the “Mendeleev table” equivalent for superconducting circuits and the known types of noise. One superconducting artificial atom recently built/discovered here at Yale, which we have nicknamed Fluxonium, provides an example of how one can, by combining large and small Josephson inductances, improve in principle immunity to noise. In contrast with other superconducting quantum bits, Fluxonium also naturally exhibits the type of 3-level-atom physics usually displayed by natural alkali atoms. Its properties would be useful for the continuous, high-fidelity monitoring of a quantum state and feedback control of that state.

Please note that this lecture will be given in French.
Hosted by the Physical Society and the MSPS.