Locating Two-Level Systems in a Superconducting Xmon Qubit

Abstract

One significant source of decoherence in superconducting circuits is known as two-level systems (TLSs), found in amorphous oxide layers. These circuits can, however, also be utilized as spectral and temporal TLS probes. Comprehensive investigations on the physics of TLSs are now possible thanks to recent advancements in superconducting qubits. Here, we simultaneously measure the tunable Xmon qubit decoherence time as well as the resonance frequency for more than 3 days to investigate stochastic fluctuations. Time-domain Allan deviation and frequency-domain power spectral density analysis indicate that two TLSs in near resonance with the qubit are responsible for the fluctuations. From the extracted oscillation in T1 decay, we locate the two TLSs near the junctions.

Keywords

• superconducting qubit
• two-level systems
• decoherence