Circuit quantum electrodynamics systems are typically built from resonators and two-level artificial atoms, but the use of multi-level artificial atoms instead can enable promising applications in quantum technology. Here we present an implementation
of a Josephson junction circuit dedicated to operate as a V-shape artificial atom. Based on a concept of two internal degrees of freedom, the device consists of two transmon qubits coupled by an inductance. The Josephson nonlinearity introduces a strong diagonal coupling between the two degrees of freedom that finds applications in quantum non-demolition readout schemes, and in the realization of microwave cross-Kerr media based on superconducting circuits.
Interfacing superconducting quantum processors, working in the GHz frequency range, with optical quantum networks and atomic qubits is a challenging task for the implementation of distributed quantum information processing as well as for quantum comm
unication. Using spin ensembles of rare earth ions provide an excellent opportunity to bridge microwave and optical domains at the quantum level. In this letter, we demonstrate magnetic coupling of Er$^{3+}$ spins doped in Y$_{2}$SiO$_{5}$ crystal to a high-Q coplanar superconducting resonator.
The boundary between the classical and quantum worlds has been intensely studied. It remains fascinating to explore how far the quantum concept can reach with use of specially fabricated elements. Here we employ a tunable flux qubit with basis states
having persistent currents of 1$ mu$A carried by a billion electrons. By tuning the tunnel barrier between these states we see a cross-over from quantum to classical. Released from non-equilibrium, the system exhibits spontaneous coherent oscillations. For high barriers the lifetime of the states increases dramatically while the tunneling period approaches the phase coherence time and the classical regime is reached.
A flux qubit biased at its symmetry point shows a minimum in the energy splitting (the gap), providing protection against flux noise. We have fabricated a qubit whose gap can be tuned fast and have coupled this qubit strongly to an LC oscillator. We
show full spectroscopy of the qubit-resonator system and generate vacuum Rabi oscillations. When the gap is made equal to the oscillator frequency $ u_{osc}$ we find the strongest qubit-resonator coupling ($g/hsim0.1 u_{rm osc}$). Here being at resonance coincides with the optimal coherence of the symmetry point. Significant further increase of the coupling is possible.
