Low-Loss, Broadband, Quantum-Limited Floquet-Mode Amplifiers

A Floquet mode traveling wave parametric amplifier (TWPA) is disclosed. The Floquet mode TWPA comprises a plurality of stages, where each stage is made up of a nonlinear element and a shunt capacitor. The nonlinear elements may be Josephson junctions, or a combination of series and/or parallel Josephson junctions. The Floquet mode TWPA is designed such that the critical current of the nonlinear elements in each stage is not constant. In some embodiments, the ratio of the largest critical current to the smallest critical current in the Floquet mode TWPA is at least 2:1. In some embodiments, the nonlinear elements with the largest critical current are disposed at or near the input or output of the amplifier. In this way, reflections and backward amplification may be minimized. Further, the TWPA is formed using planar capacitors on a high resistivity substrate, or using low loss parallel plate capacitors.