Quantum Research Overview

Employing quantum physics for technology and fundamental research enables applications that go beyond what is possible based on classical physics. A large sensitivity to the environment, nonlocality of quantum states, and the dynamics of large entangled states are the unique properties of quantum systems that make this possible. The push for higher system coherence, scale-up in physical size and number of states, and bridging the application areas of quantum sensing, computing, communication and simulation are common themes in quantum research. Today, researchers can demonstrate exquisite control over the quantum state of spins, photons, atoms, and phonons.

Zurich Instruments' expertise combines integrated qubit control solutions, experiment control software, lock-in amplifiers, and application know-how in a wide range of technologies and measurement methods. For you, this means less engineering and programming effort, a direct path to the realization of your ideas thanks to specialized technology, and thus, a shorter time to result.

With Zurich Instruments, you gain direct access to a wide range of advanced qubit control and readout methods with the highest signal fidelity. Easily usable feedback capabilities lower the barrier to implement innovative real-time control methods.

Leverage our state-of-the-art hardware and intuitive control software to accelerate your lab's progress, ensuring rapid integration of your Quantum Computing Control System (QCCS) with expert support, ready within 24 hours. Explore how you can transform your quantum innovations into reality today.

Platforms & Technologies

Superconductors

Defect Centers

Nitrogen Vacancy (NV) center in diamond
Silicon Vacancy (SiV) center in diamond
Rare-earth ion doped crystals

Semiconductors

Ge, GaAs, Si
Gate-defined dots
Nanowires
Single dopants

Capabilities & Features

Measurement & Readout

Single-shot readout with weighted integration
Frequency-multiplexed readout with 1 GHz bandwidth
Fast lock-in detection
Pulse counting

Experiment & System Control

High-level control software
Multi-instrument synchronization
Graphical toolset

Qubit Control & Actuation

High-speed pulse sequencing
Fast waveform upload
DC to 8.5 GHz

Feedback & Real-time Operations

Low-latency active qubit reset
Real-time pulse parameter control
Error correction
High-level feedback programming

Five reasons to choose Zurich Instruments for your quantum research project

Simplify your setup

Zurich instruments' solutions come with a frequency coverage from DC to 8.5 GHz without the need for mixer calibration, an integrated signal processing toolset for readout, control, and feedback without FPGA programming, and channel synchronization out of the box.

Speed up your software workflows

The LabOne Q software provides a programming interface for efficient experiment design, taking care of all low-level tasks such as instrument configuration, synchronization, and sequence programming. The LabOne graphical user interface and API integrate a full measurement toolset for single-instrument setups.

Get state-of-the-art signal quality

For maximum gate and readout fidelity, direct RF generation and double-superheterodyne technology provide high bandwidth, high SFDR, and low noise. Digital lock-in technology enables the recovery of weak signals at high speeds and at multiple frequencies without loss of signal-to-noise ratio.

Benefit from our application know-how

With a large team of application scientists with deep roots in the scientific community and a broad scientific background, Zurich Instruments supports you to get the most out of your experimental setup.

Shorten your measurement time

To speed up measurement procedures covering large parameter ranges, Zurich Instruments' hardware and software is optimized to operate at the physical limits of the setup. Hardware sweeps, real-time pulse parameter control, and active qubit reset often reduce measurement times from hours to minutes or even seconds.

Instrument Overview

High-speed qubit control with the QCCS and its components

The SHFQC+ Qubit Controller is a fully integrated microwave control and readout solution for 2, 4, or 6 superconducting qubits in one instrument.
The SHFSG+ Signal Generator offers fast control pulses from DC to 8.5 GHz, directly at the frequencies of NV centers and other qubit types.
The SHFQA+ Quantum Analyzer reads out up to 16 qubits per channel simultaneously with an instantaneous bandwidth exceeding 1 GHz.
The HDAWG Arbitrary Waveform Generator is an 8-channel AWG with integrated pulse counter for flux and gate voltage pulses, or baseband IQ pulses.
The SHFPPC Parametric Pump Controller is a fully integrated system for operating Josephson parametric amplifiers.
The UHFQA Quantum Analyzer reads out up to 10 qubits simultaneously thanks to its state-of-the-art filter technology.
The HDIQ IQ Modulator converts signals from intermediate-frequency sources to the microwave frequency range.

Low-noise, high-speed signal recovery with lock-in amplifiers in multiple frequency ranges

The MFLI Lock-in Amplifier offers low-noise current and voltage detection for transport measurements.
The UHFLI Lock-in Amplifier is a dual-channel, multi-frequency instrument ideal for RF reflectometry measurements.
The GHFLI Lock-in Amplifier carries resonator characterization and reflectometry to the microwave range up to 1.8 GHz.
The SHFLI Lock-in Amplifier brings lock-in amplifier technology to frequencies up to 8.5 GHz, e.g. for SAW coupled systems.

What Our Users Say

Prof. John Nichol

Professor John Nichol - University of Rochester

"Generating the pulses required for semiconductor spin qubits is a daily complicated challenge that various groups face, making the HDAWG an exciting solution."

Prof. John Nichol - Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Rochester.

Dr. Daniel Jirovec

"The UHFLI is probably the most used instrument in our lab. Almost every setup has one because it's just so versatile and so quick to use."

Daniel Jirovec - Postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA).

Prof. Christoph Stampfer

"Recently, my group acquired an AWG from Zurich Instruments to help us understand the physics of potential spin and valley qubits in bilayer graphene."

Christoph Stampfer - Head of the quantum device and 2D materials group at RWTH Aachen University. His research focuses on graphene and related 2D materials as well as on quantum transport and applications to quantum technologies.

Prof. Martino Poggio

"Modernizing equipment for education and research is going to be a top priority as it will help us do more research and projects with the innovative equipment of Zurich Instruments."

Martino Poggio - Director of the Swiss Nanoscience Institute and Head of the Poggio Lab at the University of Basel.

Dr. Jinwoong Cha

"We purchased an HDAWG for new experiments on superconducting quantum devices, and we hope to purchase other products from Zurich Instruments for our project on quantum transduction. We look forward to the scientific and technical achievements we will attain."

Jinwoong Cha (left) - Senior research scientist at the Quantum Technology Institute of the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science.

Dr. Natalia Ares

"We used our UHFLIs to detect coherent nanomechanical oscillations driven by single-electron tunneling in a suspended carbon nanotube."

Natalia Ares (standing in the center) - Royal Society University Research Fellow in the Materials Department at the University of Oxford. She leads a group researching quantum behaviour in nanoscale devices.