Patent Application for Quantum Devices Formed From A Single Superconducting Wire

Strategic Insights -

Researchers have filed a patent application for the development of quantum devices that utilize a single superconducting wire with a configurable ground connection. The application outlines several examples of quantum devices that can store quantum information in Majorana zero modes (MZMs), including a qubit that can be tuned using transport signatures and then disconnected from transport leads. The devices can be configured to be grounded via a cuttable ground contact and comprise electrostatic gates to control the density of electrons in selected regions of a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG).

Key Takeaways:

  • The patent application describes a quantum device that consists of a single superconducting wire with at least three sections, each configurable to be in a topological phase or trivial phase.
  • The device can store quantum information in at least four MZMs and can be measured using semiconducting regions formed adjacent to the superconducting wire.
  • The device can be tuned using transport signatures and then disconnected from transport leads.
  • The device can be configured to be grounded via a cuttable ground contact.
  • The device comprises electrostatic gates to control the density of electrons in selected regions of a 2DEG.
  • The device can be formed using layers of materials, with electrostatic gates formed in different layers.
  • The patent application includes 20 claims, including claims for a quantum device with a single superconducting wire and semiconducting regions, claims for a qubit that can be tuned using transport signatures, and claims for a device that can be grounded via a cuttable ground contact.
  • The patent application is filed by Roman Bela Bauer, Torsten Karzig, Christina Paulsen Knapp, Jonne Verneri Koski, Roman Mykolayovych Lutchyn, and Dmitry Pikulin.
  • The patent application is titled "Quantum Devices Formed From A Single Superconducting Wire Having A Configurable Ground Connection" and has the U.S. Patent Application Number 20250324642.

Statistics:

  • The patent application includes 20 claims.
  • The device can store quantum information in at least four MZMs.
  • The device can be measured using semiconducting regions formed adjacent to the superconducting wire.
  • The device can be tuned using transport signatures and then disconnected from transport leads.
  • The device can be configured to be grounded via a cuttable ground contact.
  • The device comprises electrostatic gates to control the density of electrons in selected regions of a 2DEG.

Sources:

  • BAUER, Roman Bela; KARZIG, Torsten; KNAPP, Christina Paulsen; KOSKI, Jonne Verneri; LUTCHYN, Roman Mykolayovych; PIKULIN, Dmitry. Quantum Devices Formed From A Single Superconducting Wire Having A Configurable Ground Connection. U.S. Patent Application Number 20250324642, filed June 27, 2025 and posted October 16, 2025. Patent URL (for desktop use only): https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/external.html?q=(20250324642)&db=US-PGPUB&type=ids