Impact of the Josephson Arbitrary Waveform Synthesizer in electrical metrology and physics

The recent redefinition of the SI was motivated in part by the success of quantum-based electrical standards, such as those based on the Josephson effect. Quantum standards enable the direct realization of physical quantities that are traceable to fundamental constants, invariant with respect to time, and in some cases, readily disseminated. In addition to speeding the metrological shift away from artifacts, quantum standards may usher in new measurement capabilities or profoundly reduce measurement uncertainties. One such standard for ac voltage measurements, the Josephson Arbitrary Waveform Synthesizer, or JAWS, generates quantum-accurate output waveforms by precisely controlling the timing and polarity of single flux quanta created by arrays of Josephson junctions. A JAWS is capable of synthesizing pure tones with residual distortion as low as parts in 10⁹. Amplitude and phase accuracies are less than a part in 10⁶ at audio frequencies. These capabilities are being employed to advance measurement science in a range of applications from the Smart Grid to modern wireless radio infrastructure to fundamental impedance metrology. In this talk I will discuss the capabilities and limitations of the JAWS, as well as highlight a few case studies where the JAWS’ accuracy and stability may impact research in condensed matter physics and remote sensing.