Menu
Close
Sign up for NPL updates
Close
Sign up for NPL updates

Receive regular emails from NPL to get a glimpse of our activities and see how our experts are informing and influencing scientific debate

Quantum computing

Superconducting electronics

Designing, fabricating, and measuring superconducting circuits

Josephson junctions can be realised as very small constrictions, forming weak links in a single layer of superconducting film. This has the dual benefit of a much simpler fabrication process and the ability to create circuits on the micrometre scale. NPL is carrying out research into fabrication methods in order to obtain the required reproducibility of the weak link parameters and also thermal modelling to understand the heat flow in these devices.We have recently used Shapiro steps in junction current-voltage characteristics to infer the local junction temperature

We have recently used Shapiro steps in junction current-voltage characteristics to infer the junction temperature, which is a significant achievement. NPL is exploring the application of superconducting electronics to develop Josephson quantum voltage metrology systems, superconducting circuits for rapid switching of single flux quanta (RSFQ), parametric amplification at the quantum limit, and novel superconducting magnetometers.

Contact us

Work with us

Our research and measurement solutions support innovation and product development. We work with companies to deliver business advantage and commercial success.
Contact our Customer Services team on +44 20 8943 7070