Description

This postdoctoral research opportunity at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, Colorado, focuses on the development of superconducting analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuits to tackle critical measurement challenges in radio-frequency communications, energy-efficient computing, and quantum computing. The project exploits the quantum behavior of Josephson junctions to generate high-purity, quantum-accurate AC waveform standards at frequencies up to 200 GHz.

A key technology used is single-flux-quantum (SFQ) circuits, which have demonstrated circuit speeds up to 700 GHz and are being intensely researched as a solution for ultralow power computing. The precision waveform synthesizers developed will support the communications industry in improving transmitters, receivers, and other devices to enhance spectrum utilization, monitoring, and sharing in current and future frequency bands, including millimeter-wave and 6G spectrum.

Research activities include microwave and superconducting circuit design, superconducting device fabrication in NIST’s state-of-the-art cleanroom, and the development of precision measurement techniques based on prototype superconducting circuits operating at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies. The researcher will collaborate closely with NIST staff across multiple groups and laboratories to develop measurement techniques, devices, and instruments as potential standards.

Keywords

Superconductors, Josephson junctions, single-flux-quantum (SFQ) circuits, microwave circuit design, superconducting device fabrication, quantum computing, radio frequencies, waveform synthesis, spectrum sharing, ultralow power computing.