Development of a Traveling-Wave Parametric Amplifier for the Princeton Axion Search

In order to achieve sensitivity to DFSZ QCD axion dark matter, the Princeton aXion Search (PXS) requires phase-insensitive amplifiers operating near the Standard Quantum Limit in the 200-500 MHz frequency range. PXS plans to use a kinetic inductance traveling-wave parametric amplifier (KI-TWPA) tailored to the frequency range. The amplifier operates in a frequency translating mode, whereby the input signal at a few hundred MHz is amplified and upconverted to a few GHz to facilitate integration with mature commercial cryogenic microwave components. We present initial characterizations of the KI-TWPA, illustrating gain in excess of 20 dB over the frequency range, as well as ongoing efforts to measure the noise performance. We also discuss the design and testing strategy for integrating these amplifiers with auxiliary components required for an axion search.