Josephson amplifier for qubit readout

We report on measurements of a Josephson amplifier (J-amp) suitable for quantum-state qubit readout in the microwave domain. It consists of two microstrip resonators which intersect at a Josephson ring modulator. A maximum gain of about 20 dB, a bandwidth of 9 MHz, and a center-frequency tunability of about 60 MHz with gain in excess of 10 dB have been attained for idler and signal of frequencies 6.4 GHz and 8.1 GHz, in accordance with theory. Maximum input power measurements of the J-amp show a relatively good agreement with theoretical prediction. We discuss how the amplifier characteristics can be improved. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.