Low-pass filter with ultra-wide stopband for quantum computing applications

Abstract: A new type of low-pass filter based on a leaky coaxial waveguide is presented. The filter has minimal insertion loss in the pass band, while at the same time high attenuation in the stop band is achieved. Thanks to its arrangement, the filter does not present parasitic leakage paths, so that, unlike conventional resonant filters, the stop band extends to very high frequencies. It is shown that a particular stop-band attenuation can be obtained by adding or removing leaking sections. Coupling between the center coaxial structure and the leaking holes is investigated. A prototype is manufactured and scattering parameters are measured up to 145 GHz. The prototype shows an insertion loss of less than 0.15 dB up to 10 GHz and an attenuation in excess of 60 dB above 70 GHz. The proposed filter is suitable for superconducting quantum computing applications where qubits are sensitive to radiation with energy high enough to break Cooper-pairs, thereby destroying superconductivity.