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Traceable Validation of Calculable Quantum-Based RF Waveforms

We compare the calculated, quantum-based output of a radio-frequency Josephson arbitrary waveform synthesizer (RF-JAWS) with its measured output that is calibrated through the established NIST RF power traceability path, a necessary first step towards quantum-based RF metrology. An array of
1,500 Josephson junctions (JJs) is used to synthesize sinusoids from 50 MHz to 3 GHz, each with a nominal output power of -49.67 dBm and a demonstrated quantum-locking range (QLR) exceeding 1 mA. We perform a two-tier calibration of two-port vector network analyzer (VNA) measurements of the RF-JAWS waveforms with uncertainty analysis: (1) the VNA wave parameters are referenced to a NIST-calibrated coaxial power sensor, and (2) a cryogenic probe station, together with on-chip superconducting calibration standards, establishes an on-chip reference plane at the JJ-array. The calibrated measurement of the forward- and backward-propagating power is compared with the expected, calculated outputs, and, after accounting for high-frequency roll-off, we observe agreement within the expanded (k = 2) uncertainty limits for most frequencies. The data are generated here from the two figures presented in this work. Figure 1 validates the quantum-based generation of all waveforms synthesized in the paper using a dc-bias quantum-locking range. Figure 2 presents the main result of the paper: for all synthesized waveforms, the JAWS-calculated output is compared with the two-tier calibrated VNA measurements, with expanded uncertainties reported for all values.

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Updated: 2026-09-04
Metadata Last Updated: 2026-02-04 00:00:00
Date Created: N/A
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Title Traceable Validation of Calculable Quantum-Based RF Waveforms
Description We compare the calculated, quantum-based output of a radio-frequency Josephson arbitrary waveform synthesizer (RF-JAWS) with its measured output that is calibrated through the established NIST RF power traceability path, a necessary first step towards quantum-based RF metrology. An array of 1,500 Josephson junctions (JJs) is used to synthesize sinusoids from 50 MHz to 3 GHz, each with a nominal output power of -49.67 dBm and a demonstrated quantum-locking range (QLR) exceeding 1 mA. We perform a two-tier calibration of two-port vector network analyzer (VNA) measurements of the RF-JAWS waveforms with uncertainty analysis: (1) the VNA wave parameters are referenced to a NIST-calibrated coaxial power sensor, and (2) a cryogenic probe station, together with on-chip superconducting calibration standards, establishes an on-chip reference plane at the JJ-array. The calibrated measurement of the forward- and backward-propagating power is compared with the expected, calculated outputs, and, after accounting for high-frequency roll-off, we observe agreement within the expanded (k = 2) uncertainty limits for most frequencies. The data are generated here from the two figures presented in this work. Figure 1 validates the quantum-based generation of all waveforms synthesized in the paper using a dc-bias quantum-locking range. Figure 2 presents the main result of the paper: for all synthesized waveforms, the JAWS-calculated output is compared with the two-tier calibrated VNA measurements, with expanded uncertainties reported for all values.
Modified 2026-02-04 00:00:00
Publisher Name National Institute of Standards and Technology
Contact mailto:[email protected]
Keywords Josephson junctions , microwave measurement , digital-analog conversion , superconducting microwave devices
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    "title": "Traceable Validation of Calculable Quantum-Based RF Waveforms",
    "description": "We compare the calculated, quantum-based output of a radio-frequency Josephson arbitrary waveform synthesizer (RF-JAWS) with its measured output that is calibrated through the established NIST RF power traceability path, a necessary first step towards quantum-based RF metrology. An array of\n1,500 Josephson junctions (JJs) is used to synthesize sinusoids from 50 MHz to 3 GHz, each with a nominal output power of -49.67 dBm and a demonstrated quantum-locking range (QLR) exceeding 1 mA. We perform a two-tier calibration of two-port vector network analyzer (VNA) measurements of the RF-JAWS waveforms with uncertainty analysis: (1) the VNA wave parameters are referenced to a NIST-calibrated coaxial power sensor, and (2) a cryogenic probe station, together with on-chip superconducting calibration standards, establishes an on-chip reference plane at the JJ-array. The calibrated measurement of the forward- and backward-propagating power is compared with the expected, calculated outputs, and, after accounting for high-frequency roll-off, we observe agreement within the expanded (k = 2) uncertainty limits for most frequencies. The data are generated here from the two figures presented in this work. Figure 1 validates the quantum-based generation of all waveforms synthesized in the paper using a dc-bias quantum-locking range. Figure 2 presents the main result of the paper: for all synthesized waveforms, the JAWS-calculated output is compared with the two-tier calibrated VNA measurements, with expanded uncertainties reported for all values.",
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        {
            "downloadURL": "https:\/\/data.nist.gov\/od\/ds\/mds2-4078\/Fig1_data.csv",
            "description": "DC-bias QLRs for synthesized JAWS sinusoids. Colormap shows the average PSD of the raw b-waves over a 10 MHz span centered on the fundamental frequency f (y-axis) versus dc bias (x-axis, 0.5 mA step-size). Pulse shapes are set by the AWG, with settings optimized at low frequency and then applied across all frequencies. The PSD drop for f > 2.37 GHz reflects a 100-times longer delta-sigma pattern, not reduced voltage accuracy.",
            "mediaType": "text\/csv",
            "title": "Fig.1: DC-Bias Quantum-Locking Ranges"
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        {
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            "description": "Measured |J_meas(f)| (red) and calculated |J_calc(f)| (blue), normalized to |J_calc(0)| = -49.67 plus or minus 0.05 dBm, with shaded k = 2 uncertainty.",
            "mediaType": "text\/csv",
            "title": "Fig.2: JAWS Calculation vs JAWS Measurement"
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        {
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            "description": "Readme for the navigation, organization, and content for the data in the figures included in the \"Traceable Validation of Calculable Quantum-Based RF Waveforms\" manuscript.",
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