Coherent dynamics and decoherence in a superconducting weak link

We demonstrate coherent dynamics of quantized magnetic fluxes in a superconducting loop with a weak link, a nanobridge patterned from the same thin NbN film as the loop. The bridge is a short, rounded shape constriction, close to 10 nm long and 20–30 nm wide, having minimal width at its center. It superposes neighboring fluxoid states of the loop. Quantum state control and coherent oscillations in the driven time evolution of the tunnel-junctionless system are achieved. Decoherence and energy relaxation in the system are studied using a combination of microwave spectroscopy and direct time-domain techniques. The effective flux noise behavior suggests inductance fluctuations as a possible cause of the decoherence.