SQUID G.A.M.E.: Gamma, Atmospheric, and Mono-Energetic Neutron Effects on Quantum Devices

Abstract

Quantum devices are a promising solution to many research applications, including medical imaging, precision magnetic field measurements, condensed matter physics, and overcoming the limits of classical computing. Among the available implementations, the superconducting technology is the current focus of scientific research and industrial applications, excelling in performance and scalability. Despite this, superconducting quantum systems are extremely prone to decoherence, and in particular, they are highly sensitive to radiation events. In this paper, we analyze the response of a superconducting device (SQUID) to radiation. We expose the SQUID to beams of monoenergetic 14 MeV neutrons (NILE - ISIS), atmospheric 1-800 MeV neutrons (ChipIR - ISIS), and gamma rays with 1.25 MeV average energy (CALLIOPE - ENEA). These experiments show that the SQUID is sensitive to the two neutron fields, while gamma rays at 1.25 MeV leave it mostly unaffected. Following our experiments with neutrons, it is possible to characterize the SQUID's response and even classify faults according to their shape and duration. We identify two categories: bursts (long lasting) and peaks (short lived). To investigate the different responses to neutrons and gamma rays, we employ Geant4 simulations, which highlight differences in the deposition spectra and the energy propagation, but likewise predict the vulnerability of the SQUID in both cases.