Rapid single-flux-quantum and adiabatic quantum-flux-parametron cell libraries using a 1 kA/cm2 niobium fabrication process

Abstract

Abstract Superconductor logic families can operate with small power dissipation and are thus suitable as building blocks for various computing systems. In some applications, superconductor logic circuits should be designed using Josephson junctions with low I c values ( I c : critical current). For instance, lowering I c values enables qubit interface circuits to operate with very small power dissipation at ~10 mK and stochastic electronics to easily induce stochastic operations. In this study, we develop the AIST 1 kA cm −2 Nb planarized process (1KP) with a minimum critical current of 10 µA, dedicated to the design of qubit interface circuits and stochastic electronics. We also develop rapid single-flux-quantum (RSFQ) and adiabatic quantum-flux-parametron (AQFP) cell libraries using the 1KP. The power dissipation of RSFQ logic using the 1KP can be reduced to 3.2% of that for conventional RSFQ logic by reducing both I c values and a bias voltage. Furthermore, the amount of supply currents for AQFP circuits using the 1KP can be reduced to ~40% of that for conventional AQFP circuits due to a large mutual inductance between AQFP gates and excitation lines, which results from a reduction in I c and an increase in inductances. We demonstrate RSFQ and AQFP circuits fabricated by the 1KP at 4.2 K. These results indicate that RSFQ and AQFP circuits using the 1KP have the potential to be used for the design of qubit interface circuits and stochastic electronics.