On-demand single-microwave-photon source in a superconducting circuit with wideband frequency tunability

Journal article, 2025

In this article, we propose a method for generating single microwave photons in superconducting circuits. We theoretically show that pure single microwave photons can be generated on demand and tuned over a large frequency band by making use of Landau-Zener transitions under a rapid sweep of a control parameter. We devise a protocol that enables fast control of the frequency of the emitted photon over two octaves, without requiring extensive calibration. Additionally, we make theoretical estimates of the generation efficiency, tunability, purity, and linewidth of the photons emitted using this method for both charge- and flux-qubit-based architectures. We also provide estimates of the optimal device parameters required for these architectures to realize the device.