A wide-band tunable phase shifter for radio-frequency reflectometry

Abstract

Radio-frequency reflectometry of nanodevices requires careful separation of signal quadratures to distinguish dissipative and dispersive contributions to the device impedance. A tunable phase shifter for this purpose is described and characterized. The phase shifter, consisting of a varactor-loaded transmission line, has the necessary tuning range combined with acceptable insertion loss across a frequency band 100 MHz - 1 GHz spanning most radio-frequency experiments. Its operation is demonstrated by demodulating separately the signals due to resistance and capacitance changes in a model device.