Dr. Fabio Chiarello

Superconducting Quantum Systems for Axion Search and Other Fundamental Physics Applications

The detection of single photons in the microwave range is important for various applications, from quantum computing to the search for exotic particles such as Axions, hypothetical weakly interacting particles that could partially explain dark matter. A promising approach for this detection is based on the use of systems exploiting the Josephson effect. Josephson systems can be used as single microwave photon detectors in different configurations, including current-biased single junctions in coplanar waveguides or qubits coupled to resonators. These systems not only show great potential in detecting weakly interacting particles but are also of considerable interest for other fundamental physics applications, for example as quantum simulators for complex systems. We present various approaches developed within the QubIt INFN collaboration, discussing the obtained results, challenges, and future perspectives.