arXiv subjects

G. Filatrella

Publications and source records attributed to G. Filatrella.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Analysis of Josephson junctions switching time distributions for the detection of single microwave photons

We investigate an optimal scheme for the detection of single microwave photons by a Josephson junction through the analysis of its switching times distribution. The proposed analysis is of support for the decision about the existence of the photon field, which is important in the case of rare events. We assume that the cavity and the transmission line are ideal (each photon absorbed to the cavity gives a current pulse as the output of the transmission line) and the photon source is periodic. The employed methodology consists in comparing the switching probabilities of a Josephson junction exposed to a train of current pulses, simulating a weak photon field, with that of the same device in absence of pulses. In both cases, thermal noise can induce thermal activated switchings. The investigation of the unbalance in the number of switching events in the two cases, gives an estimate of the efficiency of the detection. Furthermore, in the assumption of escapes described by Kramers model, it is possible to provide a relationship between the properties of the photons field, the quantum efficiency of the detection process, and the Josephson junctions switching features at finite temperatures.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2026

Detection of signals in presence of noise through Josephson junction switching currents

Josephson junctions can be employed to reveal a sinusoidal signal in presence of Gaussian noise. To mimic realistic setups, the detection is performed linearly ramping the bias current until a switch to the finite voltage occurs; the analysis of the resulting switching currents can be exploited to decide about the presence of the harmonic drive. The signal is applied in two conditions: with an unknown initial phase (incoherent strategy) and with a known initial phase (coherent strategy). In both conditions, the analysis of the efficiency of the detection, performed through the signal-to-noise ratio, as estimated by the Kumar-Carrol index, shows that the dependence upon the Josephson junction ramp rate is beneficial, especially for relatively fast speed. One can conclude that the collection of the switching currents is a robust technique, and thus it is possible to exploit the advantages of a predetermined finite time to collect the data.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

Negative differential resistance in Josephson junctions coupled to a cavity

Regions with negative differential resistance can arise in the IV curve of Josephson junctions and this phenomenon plays an essential role for applications, in particular for THz radiation emission. For the measurement of high frequency radiation from Josephson junctions, a cavity - either internal or external - is often used. A cavity may also induce a negative differential resistance region at the lower side of the resonance frequency. We investigate the dynamics of Josephson junctions with a negative differential resistance in the quasi particle tunnel current, i.e. in the McCumber curve. We find that very complicated and unexpected interactions take place. This may be useful for the interpretation of experimental measurements of THz radiation from intrinsic Josephson junctions.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

Stepping closer to pulsed single microwave photon detectors for axions search

Axions detection requires the ultimate sensitivity down to the single photon limit. In the microwave region this corresponds to energies in the yJ range. This extreme sensitivity has to be combined with an extremely low dark count rate, since the probability of axions conversion into microwave photons is supposed to be very low. To face this complicated task, we followed two promising approaches that both rely on the use of superconducting devices based on the Josephson effect. The first one is to use a single Josephson junction (JJ) as a switching detector (i.e. exploiting the superconducting to normal state transition in presence of microwave photons). We designed a device composed of a coplanar waveguide terminated on a current biased Josephson junction. We tested its efficiency to pulsed (pulse duration 10 ns) microwave signals, since this configuration is closer to an actual axions search experiment. We show how our device is able to reach detection capability of the order of 10 photons with frequency 8 GHz. The second approach is based on an intrinsically quantum device formed by two resonators coupled only via a superconducting qubit network (SQN). This approach relies on quantum nondemolition measurements of the resonator photons. We show that injecting RF power into the resonator, the frequency position of the resonant drop in the transmission coefficient (S21) can be modulated up to 4 MHz. We anticipate that, once optimized, both the devices have the potential to reach single photon sensitivity.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

Progress in the development of a KITWPA for the DARTWARS project

DARTWARS (Detector Array Readout with Traveling Wave AmplifieRS) is a three years project that aims to develop high-performing innovative Traveling Wave Parametric Amplifiers (TWPAs) for low temperature detectors and qubit readout (C-band). The practical development follows two different promising approaches, one based on the Josephson junctions (TWJPA) and the other one based on the kinetic inductance of a high-resistivity superconductor (KITWPA). This paper presents the advancements made by the DARTWARS collaboration to produce a first working prototype of a KITWPA.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

Ultra low noise readout with travelling wave parametric amplifiers: the DARTWARS project

The DARTWARS project has the goal of developing high-performing innovative travelling wave parametric amplifiers with high gain, large bandwidth, high saturation power, and nearly quantum-limited noise. The target frequency region for its applications is 5 - 10 GHz, with an expected noise temperature of about 600 mK. The development follows two different approaches, one based on Josephson junctions and one based on kinetic inductance of superconductors. This contribution mainly focuses on the Josephson travelling wave parametric amplifier, presenting its design, preliminary measurements and the test of homogeneity of arrays of Josephson junctions.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

Entrainment of a van der Pol-type circadian pacemaker to daylight cycle

A van der Pol self sustained oscillator with higher order nonlinearity exhibits a rich dynamics, with multiple periodic attractors, and still the model allows analytical approximations. Some of these properties can be conveniently exploited in the framework of circadian oscillations. When interpreted as a biological oscillator that determines the alternation sleep/awake, the dynamic variable exhibits some interesting features that can be related to biological behavior. We analyze in the paper the phenomenon of entrainment of van der Pol-type circadian pacemaker to daylight cycle. We determine the amplitude and frequency of the circadian model without natural forcing light, and find that the agreement of between analytical and numerical results hardly depend on the stiffness coefficient, $ μ$ of circadian oscillations. It is shown that a practical and precise drive which imitates the effects of the conditions of natural light can be introduced in the system and analytically treated. Considering the effects of forcing light on the sleep aware cycle model, we find that a strong drive destroys the circadian oscillations and thus we confirm the importance of darkness for regular circadian oscillations. Moreover, we observe the reverse situation when we take into account the phase in the forcing light. For instance, for $ϕ= π/2$ and the duration of daylight $D_L = 12h$, the phenomenon of quenching of circadian oscillations disappears. The comparison between analytical treatment and numerical simulations of effects of light is discussed.

physics.bio-ph↗

arXiv2022

Coherence and stochastic resonances in a noisy van der Pol-type circadian pacemaker model driven by light

Daylight plays a major role in the wake/sleep cycle in humans. Indeed, the wake/sleep system stems from biological systems that follow a circadian rhythm determined by the light/dark alternation. The oscillations can be modeled by the higher order non-linearity van der Pol -type equation driven by a term that mimics the light cycle. In this work noise in the illumination is introduced to investigate its effect on the human circadian cycle. It is found that the presence of noise is detrimental for the sleep/wake rhythm, except for some special values for which it may favor regular oscillations. Depending for system parameters, noise induces regularities, such as stochastic resonance: if the natural light is turned off, it emerges that there is an optimal value of intensity noise which most deteriorates the regularity of the cycle, it is the phenomenon of anti-coherent resonance. Also, the phenomenon of stochastic resonance occurs: in the presence of the drive of natural light, there is an optimal noise intensity which improves the evolution of the wake / sleep system. However, there is a critical value of the noise beyond which the system becomes chaotic; indeed, for sufficiently high noise levels (how high depends upon the parameter of the system), the sleep/wake cycle evolves in a random and unpredictable manner, for whatever parameters of the external light.

physics.bio-ph↗

arXiv2021

Bimodal Approach for Noise Figures of Merit Evaluation in Quantum-Limited Josephson Traveling Wave Parametric Amplifiers

The advent of ultra-low noise microwave amplifiers revolutionized several research fields demanding quantum-limited technologies. Exploiting a theoretical bimodal description of a linear phase-preserving amplifier, in this contribution we analyze some of the intrinsic properties of a model architecture (i.e., an rf-SQUID based Josephson Traveling Wave Parametric Amplifier) in terms of amplification and noise generation for key case study input states (Fock and coherents). Furthermore, we present an analysis of the output signals generated by the parametric amplification mechanism when thermal noise fluctuations feed the device.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Detector Array Readout with Traveling Wave Amplifiers

Noise at the quantum limit over a large bandwidth is a fundamental requirement for future applications operating at millikelvin temperatures, such as the neutrino mass measurement, the next-generation x-ray observatory, the CMB measurement, the dark matter and axion detection, and the rapid high-fidelity readout of superconducting qubits. The read out sensitivity of arrays of microcalorimeter detectors, resonant axion-detectors, and qubits, is currently limited by the noise temperature and bandwidth of the cryogenic amplifiers. The DARTWARS (Detector Array Readout with Traveling Wave AmplifieRS) project has the goal of developing high-performing innovative traveling wave parametric amplifiers (TWPAs) with a high gain, a high saturation power, and a quantum-limited or nearly quantum-limited noise. The practical development follows two different promising approaches, one based on the Josephson junctions and the other one based on the kinetic inductance of a high-resistivity superconductor. In this contribution we present the aims of the project, the adopted design solutions and preliminary results from simulations and measurements.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

Predicting one type of technological motion? A nonlinear map to study the 'sailing-ship' effect

In this work we use a proven model to study a dynamic duopolistic competition between an old and a new technology which, through improved technical performance - e.g. data transmission capacity - fight in order to conquer market share. The process whereby an old technology fights a new one off through own improvements has been named 'sailing-ship effect'. In the simulations proposed, intentional improvements of both the old and the new technology are affected by the values of three key parameters: one scientific-technological, one purely technological and the third purely economic. The interaction between these components gives rise to different outcomes in terms of prevalence of one technology over the other.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2019

Lévy noise induced transitions and enhanced stability in a birhythmic van der Pol system

This work describes the effects of Lévy noise on a birhythmic van der Pol like oscillator. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the noise induced escapes from an attractor to another are not markedly different from escapes between stable points in an ordinary potential, albeit the attractors are separated by a barrier of a quasi (or pseudo) potential. However, some differences appear, and are more pronounced when the Lévy distribution index is close to two.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2019

Cold numbers: Superconducting supercomputers and presumptive anomaly

In February 2014 Time magazine announced to the world that the first quantum computer had been put in use. One key component of this computer is the Josephson-junction, a superconducting device, based on completely different scientific and technological principles with respect to semiconductors. The origin of superconductors dates back to the 1960s, to a large-scale 20-year long IBM project aimed at building ultrafast computers. We present a detailed study of the relationship between Science and Technology making use of the theoretical tools of presumptive anomaly and technological paradigms: superconductors were developed whilst the semiconductors revolution was in full swing. We adopt a historiographical approach - using a snowballing technique to sift through the relevant literature from various epistemological domains and technical publications - to extract theoretically robust insights from a narrative which concerns great scientific advancements, technological leaps forward and business-driven innovation. The study we present shows how technological advancements, business dynamics and policy intertwine.

physics.hist-ph↗

arXiv2019

Noise and disorder effects in a series of birhythmic Josephson junctions coupled to a resonator

This paper deal the effects of uncorrelated white noise, in a serie of Josephson Junctions coupled to a linear $RLC$ resonator. The junction are hysteretic, and hence can be considered birhythmic, that is capable to oscillate at different frequencies for the same set of parameters. Both Josephson Junctions with identical and disordered parameters are considered. With the uniform parameters, the array behaves similarly to single Josephson junctions, also in the presence of noise. The magnitude of the effective energy that characterizes the response to noise becomes smaller as the number of elements of the array increases, making the resonator less stable. Disorder in the parameters drastically changes the physics of the array. The disordered array of Josephson junctions misses the birhythmicity properties for large values of the variance of the disorder parameter. Nevertheless, the system remains birhythmic for low values of the disorder parameter. Finally, disorder makes it difficult to locate the separatrix, hinting to a more complex structure of the effective energy landscape.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2019

Multi-walled carbon nanotube films for the measurement of the alcoholic concentration

We show that a multi-walled carbon nanotube film can be used as the sensing element of a low-cost sensor for the alcoholic concentration in liquid solutions. To this purpose, we investigate the electrical resistance of the film as a function of the isopropanol concentration in a water solution. The analysis reveals a growing resistance with increasing isopropanol concentration and a fast response. The sensing element is re-usable as the initial resistance value is restored once the solution has evaporated. The electrical resistance increases linearly when the multi-walled carbon nanotube film is exposed to common beverages with increasing alcoholic content. This work paves the way for the development of low-cost, miniaturized MWCNT-based sensors for quality monitoring and control of alcoholic beverages and general liquid solutions.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Switching Times in Fabry-Perot Measurements

We show how to analyze the motion of very low dissipation suspended mirrors in a Fabry-Perot. The very precise measurements of the mirrors motion can be determined, also in the presence of a disturbing noise, by means of the sudden reflectivity changes in special points of the mirrors positions. When the mirrors cross such positions, the effective opto-mechanical potential that arises in the device is (roughly) at a maximum. We show that the motion cross such potential maxima is not only confused by the presence of noise, but also favoured by noise itself that induces hoppings. Thus, the measurements of the times at which the crossings occur can be exploited to identify the properties of the applied signal. We also show how to circumvent the difficulty of the extremely long transient that occur in the system analyzing the escape average time with two different methods: a direct sample average and the indirect estimate from the tail distribution. Numerical simulations and physical insight suggest that the indirect estimate, through the analysis of the distribution tails with an appropriated cut off is robust against the disturbances that arise from the presence of transient dynamics.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2017

Amplitude Stochastic Response of Rayleigh Beams to Randomly Moving Loads

We consider the problem of the nonlinear response of a Rayleigh beam to the passage of a train of forces moving with stochastic velocity. The Fourier transform and the theory of residues is used to estimate the mean-square amplitude of the beam, while the stochastic averaging method gives the stationary probability density function of the oscillations amplitude. The analysis shows that the effect of the load random velocities is highly nonlinear, leading to a nonmonotonic behavior of the mean amplitude versus the intensity of the stochastic term and of the load weight. The analytic approach is also checked with numerical simulations. The effect of loads number on the system response is numerically investigated.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2016

Dependence of the maximal superconducting current on resonance frequency in shunted Josephson junction

We have investigated the phase dynamics and IV-characteristics of shunted Josephson junctions coupled to an $LC$ circuit. When the Josephson frequency $ω_J$ is close to the eigen frequency $ω_{rc}$ of the coupled resonance circuit, the IV-characteristic demonstrates an additional $rc$-branch. We have investigated the features of the $rc$-branch and of the superconducting current component for different values of the resonance frequency. It has been found that the maximal value of the superconducting current depends on the resonance frequency and that it increases when the end point of the $rc$-branch approaches the critical current. The dependence of the maximal superconducting current on the resonance frequency at different values of the dissipation parameter is peculiar, for the optimized maximum appears to be independent of the system parameters within $1\%$.

cond-mat.supr-con↗