Coherent manipulation of Andreev states in superconducting atomic contacts

C. Janvier, L. Tosi, L. Bretheau, Girit, M. Stern, P. Bertet, P. Joyez, D. Vion, D. Esteve, M. F. Goffman, H. Pothier, C. Urbina

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

168 Scopus citations

Abstract

Coherent control of quantum states has been demonstrated in a variety of superconducting devices. In all of these devices, the variables that are manipulated are collective electromagnetic degrees of freedom: charge, superconducting phase, or flux. Here we demonstrate the coherent manipulation of a quantum system based on Andreev bound states, which are microscopic quasi-particle states inherent to superconducting weak links. Using a circuit quantum electrodynamics setup, we performed single-shot readout of this Andreev qubit.We determined its excited-state lifetime and coherence time to be in the microsecond range. Quantum jumps and parity switchings were observed in continuous measurements. In addition to having possible quantum information applications, such Andreev qubits are a test-bed for the physics of single elementary excitations in superconductors.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1199-1202
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume349
Issue number6253
DOIs
StatePublished - 11 Sep 2015
Externally publishedYes

Funding

FundersFunder number
Research Executive AgencyPIIF-GA-2011-298415
Seventh Framework Programme298415

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