Bluefors Lab

Bluefors Lab offers companies in early R&D phases a way to perform quantum measurements, without the need to invest in a complete dilution refrigerator measurement system.

The Bluefors Lab focuses primarily on supporting research projects that involve electrical measurements of devices operating at millikelvin temperatures, but the hardware and the cooling system have been selected to enable multiple user applications. As such, the Lab offers an opportunity to test quantum applications, as well as other types of research.

The lab provides a low-risk route to test solutions before investing in a permanent, owned system that meets your own specifications. Successful experiments can be carried out through a flexible service that provides protection for intellectual property right. Experiments are typically carried out with support and consultation in 2–8-week periods.

Bluefors Lab gives customers rapid access to a ready-made cryogenic measurement system, and the opportunity to work with and establish long-term development and cooperation with a leading technology partner.

Consultation and Support

Experiments at the Bluefors Lab are carried out with consultation and support from Bluefors. The consultation is provided to better enable the experiments to succeed. The support we provide makes sure that the cryogenic measurement system operates as specified.

Before any experiments begin, we consult with users on how they can optimize their time to be as efficient and successful as possible. Afterwards, we help you move forward from the first round of experiments to the following ones.

During experiments, a Bluefors Cryo Engineer is present on-site to ensure the success of measurements by taking care of the system operation. The laboratory staff is fully responsible for handling and operating the dilution refrigerator measurement system. This includes the following procedures:

• Modifying the cryogenic components in the wiring channels
• Opening and closing the cryostat shields
• Cooldown and warm-up of the system
• Filling in the LN2 Trap
• Maintenance of the system and Bluefors electronics

The Bluefors Lab is situated at Delft in the Netherlands. Delft is centrally located in Europe, and easily reachable from all around the world, with good transit connections. Delft is home to the Quantum Delft ecosystem and the House of Quantum. The facility is located centrally at the Delft University of Technology campus in building 22.

The Bluefors Lab in Delft contains two dilution refrigerator measurement systems: XLD1000sl and LD400. See the exact configurations below. Systems can be booked separately.

Additional measurement electronics or other infrastructure can be added to the setup by lab users. Bluefors is also keen to further develop the lab and its measurement infrastructure to meet our customers’ needs.

Remote access is available for monitoring experiments off-site.

Delft-1 System

The base configuration of System 1 includes the LD400 Dilution Refrigerator Measurement System, equipped with RF coaxial wiring and DC twisted pair wiring. The setup also includes control electronics for flux-tunable Transmon diagnostics. It was designed to include a basic suite of qubit measurement electronics to provide the needed infrastructure for quantum research and development, enabling 5-qubit measurements.

Bluefors LD400 System

The LD System is our most sold dilution refrigerator measurement system, and it suits many different experimental needs because of its versatility. The LD400 system typically provides more than 15 µW at 20 mK on the experimental flange. In addition, it has a high cooling power of ∼0.5 mW when operated at 100 mK. The versatile LD System provides the opportunity for vast choice of options, and it can be tailored to meet various measurement setup requirements. Learn more about the system here.

Measurement Electronics

System 1 features an OrangeQS Rack and a suite of room temperature control electronics. These include AWG qubit control modules which directly outputs RF signals in the range from 2-18 GHz, a readout module containing LOs, IQ mixing, and digitizers, step attenuator. The setup is capable of 5-qubit characterization and consists of the following components:

• Qblox Cluster with modules for:
  • RF Readout module QRM-RF, 2-channel (1 input/1 output channels with 2-18.5 GHz)
  • 3 x RF control modules QCM-RF (each with 2 output channels with 2-18.5 GHz)
  • 2 x Flux pulsing modules QCM (each with 4 output channels with 0-400 MHz)
• SPI Rack, including:
  • S4g, 4-channel DC source for flux biasing
• Source Measure Unit Instrument for DC characterization
• Spectrum Analyzer for signal monitoring in the frequency space
• Oscilloscope for real-time signal monitoring
• Mounted PC for running experiments and data storage, with Quantify pre-installed. Quantify is a Python-based open-source data acquisition platform focused on quantum computing and solid-state physics experiments.
• SMA cables connecting the rack to the cryostat
• Other tools may be included (as available)

Delft-2 System

The base configuration of System 2 includes the XLD1000sl Dilution Refrigerator Measurement System, equipped with a Microwave Readout Module, RF coaxial wiring and DC twisted pair wiring.

Bluefors XLD1000sl System with a Microwave Readout Module

The XLD1000sl is designed for demanding experiments that require large experimental space, extensive wiring, and superior performance. The system provides more than 30 µW at 20 mK on the experimental flange. In addition, it has a high cooling power of more than 1000 μW when operated at 100 mK. Learn more about the system here.

The Microwave Readout Module is a preassembled module with a built-in, high-performing TWPA, and all the connected components needed to amplify very weak microwave signals. It comes equipped with all the necessary components for qubit readouts, with the TWPA supporting multiplexed readouts. Learn more about it here.