Effect of gamma radiation on low kinetic inductance superconducting microwave resonators

N N. J. Thobaben (Physics Department, Saint Louis University 1 , St. Louis, Missouri 63103,) K K. Zheng G G. A. Osmon (Physics Department, Saint Louis University 1 , St. Louis, Missouri 63103,) A A. E. Sohm (Physics Department, Saint Louis University 1 , St. Louis, Missouri 63103,) D D. T. Cherry (Physics Department, Saint Louis University 1 , St. Louis, Missouri 63103,) D D. Kowsari (Department of Physics, Washington University 2 , St. Louis, Missouri 63130,) X X. Zhao K K. W. Murch (Department of Physics, Washington University 2 , St. Louis, Missouri 63130,) R R. L. Cooper (Naval Surface Warfare Center - Crane Division 4 , Crane, Indiana 47522,) K K. D. Goodman (Amentum 5 , Odon, Indiana 47562,) D D. S. Wisbey (Physics Department, Saint Louis University 1 , St. Louis, Missouri 63103,)

Abstract

Understanding the impact of ionizing radiation on superconducting microwave resonators is essential for improving the coherence of superconducting quantum processors. In this work, we examine the response of Nb coplanar waveguide (CPW) resonators—with single-photon intrinsic quality factors on the order of several hundred thousand—to γ radiation from a Cs-137 source. We observed no significant degradation in the internal quality factor during the irradiation of Nb CPW resonators on sapphire or Si(100) substrates.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 128, Issue 14
Published April 06, 2026
ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences

Authors (11)

N

N. J. Thobaben

Physics Department, Saint Louis University 1 , St. Louis, Missouri 63103,

K

K. Zheng

G

G. A. Osmon

Physics Department, Saint Louis University 1 , St. Louis, Missouri 63103,

A

A. E. Sohm

Physics Department, Saint Louis University 1 , St. Louis, Missouri 63103,

D

D. T. Cherry

Physics Department, Saint Louis University 1 , St. Louis, Missouri 63103,

D

D. Kowsari

Department of Physics, Washington University 2 , St. Louis, Missouri 63130,

X

X. Zhao

K

K. W. Murch

Department of Physics, Washington University 2 , St. Louis, Missouri 63130,

R

R. L. Cooper

Naval Surface Warfare Center - Crane Division 4 , Crane, Indiana 47522,

K

K. D. Goodman

Amentum 5 , Odon, Indiana 47562,

D

D. S. Wisbey

Physics Department, Saint Louis University 1 , St. Louis, Missouri 63103,