Opportunity Information: Apply for W911NF 08 R 0011
Apply for W911NF 08 R 0011
- The Dept of the Army Materiel Command in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advanced Materials and Fabrication for Coherent Superconducting Qubits" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.431 Basic Scientific Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 6, 2008 and posted on Aug 1, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 14, 2009 White Papers Due 3 October 2008 NLT 400 p.m. EDST Full Proposals Due 14 January 2009 NLT 400 p.m. EST. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses Private institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Advanced Materials and Fabrication for Coherent Superconducting Qubits opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number W911NF-08-R-0011) is a U.S. Army Research Office (ARO) and Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) Broad Agency Announcement focused on pushing superconducting qubits to much longer coherence times by attacking the root causes of decoherence in materials, interfaces, device architecture, and fabrication. The program was planned as a multi-year effort envisioned to run from May 1, 2009 through June 1, 2014, and it places special emphasis on improvements that translate directly to phase qubits, while still allowing other superconducting qubit approaches where they help explain, measure, or eliminate loss mechanisms.
The solicitation is structured around two proposal levels. Level I is aimed at building the knowledge and toolset needed to fix the problem: teams are expected to (1) develop fundamental understanding of the defects that currently limit coherence time and readout contrast, (2) create ways to characterize and measure those defects and, importantly, discriminate among different defect sources that can look similar in experiments, and (3) develop advanced materials, device constructions, and fabrication processes that remove or reduce those defects. Level II proposals must do everything required in Level I and also achieve a fourth goal: (4) demonstrate substantially extended coherence times in actual superconducting qubits fabricated using the new materials and processes developed under the effort. In practice, Level I is about causality and controllability (what is the defect, how do you detect it reliably, how do you eliminate it), while Level II is about proving those improvements in working qubit devices.
On the fundamental-defects side, the government is explicitly looking for work that explains and isolates multiple known and suspected decoherence sources. A major theme is loss from defects in "lossy" materials that behave as two-level systems (TLS) and can couple to qubit transitions, including defects that show up as the familiar splitting density seen in phase-qubit readout spectroscopy. Another major theme is 1/f noise (charge, current, and flux noise) and the electronic mechanisms behind it, with strong interest in how these effects behave at realistic qubit operating conditions, including very low temperatures and relevant frequency and power regimes (for example, phase-qubit-like operation around 25 mK at low power in the GHz range). The announcement also highlights the importance of interface and surface quality: physical smoothness and uniformity, chemical composition and cleanliness (including stoichiometry, oxides, and impurities), morphology (crystallinity, orientation, grain size), and long-term stability of these properties. One example called out is oxygen diffusion in junction stacks that changes stoichiometry over time and can alter electronic properties such as dielectric loss tangent.
The BAA also encourages studies of device-physics issues that are easy to overlook but can be decisive, such as coherence-length mismatch between dissimilar top and bottom electrodes, and defects tied to specific architectures. It explicitly invites comparisons across junction types and barrier concepts, including SIS, SNS, ScS (constriction or microbridge), and SvS (vacuum) junctions, as well as how junction geometry, qubit geometry, and layout choices can introduce or amplify loss. Proposers are asked to connect materials metrics to qubit performance in a rigorous way and to examine system-level tradeoffs like qubit size and junction bias current. The solicitation notes, for instance, that smaller-junction designs (often associated with transmon or small flux qubits) have shown better T1 and T2 than larger current-biased phase qubits, and it wants research that explains how defect participation, geometry, and biasing interact to determine energy decay and dephasing. It also invites work challenging overly idealized assumptions, such as the idea of perfectly dissipationless Josephson junctions, by exploring how junction defects contribute to loss when placed in different resonant structures (coplanar waveguides versus lumped-element resonators). New concepts in decoherence mechanisms are welcome, as long as the proposal remains grounded in clear mechanisms, measurable signatures, and a credible path to mitigation.
A distinctive requirement of this opportunity is that teams must propose and describe practical test platforms used early in the program to study decoherence mechanisms, screen materials, and iterate fabrication processes before committing to full qubit demonstrations. The announcement mentions platforms like resonators and antennas and expects physically descriptive drawings or photos and electrical schematics, along with clear explanations of what the platform measures, which material properties it extracts, and how those measurements map onto qubit-relevant metrics. The program is looking for an unambiguous correlation between selected materials metrics and qubit performance, supported by both theory and experiment, rather than qualitative claims or isolated device anecdotes.
On the materials and fabrication side, the BAA seeks concrete process and design advances that can remove or reduce the identified loss mechanisms. Priority topics include producing tunnel junctions with high physical, chemical, and morphological quality and long-term stability, while also achieving high critical current and good critical-current uniformity. It calls for ultra-low-loss dielectrics for insulators and junctions and careful characterization of how impurities and process-induced imperfections degrade performance. It also encourages advanced electrode materials and passivation layers intended to reduce 1/f noise originating from interfaces, surfaces, and wiring, along with explicit attention to contamination control, including magnetic contaminants such as iron. Proposals can include improvements in source materials (like high-purity sputtering targets), fabrication reproducibility, and the quality of electrode patterning, including the impact of rough edges. There is also interest in process-chamber characterization for film deposition and oxidation steps (temperature, residual gases, and cross-contamination) as a route to more consistent, high-quality junctions and qubits.
The solicitation leaves room for innovation in qubit and junction design if it helps remove decoherence sources, including approaches that minimize lossy materials (for example by using vacuum insulators where feasible) or that avoid mechanisms intrinsic to conventional geometries through alternative barriers or layouts (vacuum, normal metal, or constriction barriers are specifically mentioned as examples). Across all these areas, the common thread is measurable defect reduction that translates into meaningful improvements in coherence and readout performance, not just better-looking films or marginal process tweaks.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is listed as discretionary funding and supports both grants and procurement contracts under CFDA 12.431 (Basic Scientific Research). Eligible applicants span a wide range: small businesses, for-profit organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, and nonprofits (including both 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) entities other than universities). No cost sharing or matching is required. Key dates included a white paper deadline of October 3, 2008 (by 4:00 p.m. EDST) and a full proposal deadline of January 14, 2009 (by 4:00 p.m. EST), with submission required through Grants.gov. Award ceiling and floor were not specified in the posted summary. For access issues with the full announcement, the listed contact was Ernest Dixon, Procurement Analyst, at 919-549-4270 or ernie.dixon@us.army.mil.
FAQs: Advanced Materials and Fabrication for Coherent Superconducting Qubits (W911NF-08-R-0011)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) titled "Advanced Materials and Fabrication for Coherent Superconducting Qubits" (Funding Opportunity Number W911NF-08-R-0011). It is sponsored by the U.S. Army Research Office (ARO) in collaboration with the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA).
What is the main goal of the program?
The program aims to push superconducting qubits to much longer coherence times by addressing root causes of decoherence in materials, interfaces, device architecture, and fabrication. The emphasis is on improvements that translate directly to phase qubits, while allowing other superconducting qubit approaches when they help explain, measure, or eliminate loss mechanisms.
What timeframe was the program envisioned to cover?
The effort was planned as a multi-year program envisioned to run from May 1, 2009 through June 1, 2014.
What types of proposals are accepted (Level I vs. Level II)?
The solicitation is structured around two proposal levels:
- Level I: Build the understanding and toolset needed to identify and reduce/ eliminate defects that limit coherence time and readout contrast, including defect characterization and discrimination among sources that can appear similar in experiments, plus development of improved materials, device constructions, and fabrication processes.
- Level II: Includes everything in Level I and additionally requires demonstrating substantially extended coherence times in actual superconducting qubits fabricated using the newly developed materials and processes.
What are the specific goals teams are expected to address?
Level I teams are expected to:
- Develop fundamental understanding of defects that currently limit coherence time and readout contrast.
- Create ways to characterize and measure those defects, including methods to discriminate among different defect sources.
- Develop advanced materials, device constructions, and fabrication processes that remove or reduce those defects.
Level II teams must do all of the above and also:
- Demonstrate substantially extended coherence times in working superconducting qubits built with the new materials and processes.
Is the program only for phase qubits?
No. The program places special emphasis on improvements that translate directly to phase qubits, but it still allows other superconducting qubit approaches where they help explain, measure, or eliminate loss mechanisms.
What kinds of decoherence mechanisms are explicitly of interest?
The announcement explicitly calls out multiple known and suspected sources of decoherence, including:
- Loss from defects in "lossy" materials behaving as two-level systems (TLS) that couple to qubit transitions (including defects tied to the splitting density observed in phase-qubit readout spectroscopy).
- 1/f noise (charge, current, and flux noise) and the electronic mechanisms behind it, particularly under realistic qubit operating conditions.
- Interface and surface quality issues (smoothness, cleanliness, stoichiometry, oxides, impurities, crystallinity, grain size, orientation, and long-term stability).
What operating conditions are considered relevant for studying 1/f noise and related effects?
The BAA expresses strong interest in behavior at realistic qubit operating conditions, including very low temperatures and relevant frequency and power regimes. An example referenced is phase-qubit-like operation around 25 mK at low power in the GHz range.
What interface and surface properties does the government want teams to evaluate?
The announcement highlights physical smoothness and uniformity, chemical composition and cleanliness (including stoichiometry, oxides, and impurities), morphology (crystallinity, orientation, grain size), and long-term stability of these properties.
Does the solicitation mention long-term material stability issues?
Yes. One specific example called out is oxygen diffusion in junction stacks, which can change stoichiometry over time and alter electronic properties such as dielectric loss tangent.
Are architecture-specific or device-physics issues in scope?
Yes. The BAA encourages studies of device-physics issues that can be decisive, including coherence-length mismatch between dissimilar top and bottom electrodes and defects tied to specific architectures.
What junction types or barrier concepts are included?
The solicitation explicitly invites comparisons across junction types and barrier concepts, including SIS, SNS, ScS (constriction or microbridge), and SvS (vacuum) junctions.
Does the BAA address the role of geometry and layout in loss?
Yes. It asks teams to examine how junction geometry, qubit geometry, and layout choices can introduce or amplify loss, and to connect materials metrics to qubit performance rigorously. It also highlights system-level tradeoffs such as qubit size and junction bias current.
How does the announcement frame differences between small-junction designs and phase qubits?
The solicitation notes that smaller-junction designs (often associated with transmon or small flux qubits) have shown better T1 and T2 than larger current-biased phase qubits. It seeks research explaining how defect participation, geometry, and biasing interact to determine energy decay and dephasing.
Does it encourage challenging idealized assumptions about Josephson junctions?
Yes. It invites work that challenges overly idealized assumptions (such as perfectly dissipationless Josephson junctions) by exploring how junction defects contribute to loss in different resonant structures (e.g., coplanar waveguides versus lumped-element resonators).
Are new theories or mechanisms of decoherence allowed?
Yes. New concepts are welcome as long as they are grounded in clear mechanisms, measurable signatures, and a credible path to mitigation.
Is there a requirement to use test platforms before building full qubits?
Yes. A distinctive requirement is that teams must propose and describe practical test platforms used early in the program to study decoherence mechanisms, screen materials, and iterate fabrication processes before committing to full qubit demonstrations.
What examples of test platforms are mentioned?
The announcement mentions platforms like resonators and antennas.
What level of documentation is expected for the test platforms?
The BAA expects physically descriptive drawings or photos and electrical schematics, along with clear explanations of what the platform measures, which material properties it extracts, and how those measurements map onto qubit-relevant metrics.
What kind of evidence does the program want when linking materials improvements to qubit performance?
The program is looking for an unambiguous correlation between selected materials metrics and qubit performance, supported by both theory and experiment, rather than qualitative claims or isolated device anecdotes.
What materials and fabrication improvements are prioritized?
Priority topics include producing tunnel junctions with high physical, chemical, and morphological quality and long-term stability, while also achieving high critical current and good critical-current uniformity. The BAA also calls for ultra-low-loss dielectrics and careful characterization of how impurities and process-induced imperfections degrade performance.
Is 1/f noise mitigation tied to specific fabrication or materials strategies?
Yes. The BAA encourages advanced electrode materials and passivation layers intended to reduce 1/f noise originating from interfaces, surfaces, and wiring, with explicit attention to contamination control (including magnetic contaminants such as iron).
Does the solicitation mention contamination control and process-chamber characterization?
Yes. It highlights contamination control (including magnetic contaminants like iron) and expresses interest in process-chamber characterization for film deposition and oxidation steps, including temperature, residual gases, and cross-contamination, to improve consistency and junction quality.
Are improvements to source materials and fabrication reproducibility in scope?
Yes. Proposals can include improvements in source materials (such as high-purity sputtering targets), fabrication reproducibility, and electrode patterning quality, including the impact of rough edges.
Does the program allow design changes that reduce lossy materials?
Yes. The BAA leaves room for innovation in qubit and junction design if it helps remove decoherence sources, including approaches that minimize lossy materials (for example, using vacuum insulators where feasible) or alternative barriers/layouts (vacuum, normal metal, or constriction barriers are mentioned).
What is the overarching evaluation theme across all technical areas?
The common thread is measurable defect reduction that translates into meaningful improvements in coherence and readout performance, not just better-looking films or marginal process tweaks.
What type of funding mechanism is indicated?
The opportunity is listed as discretionary funding and supports both grants and procurement contracts.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 12.431 (Basic Scientific Research).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include small businesses, for-profit organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, and nonprofits (including both 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) entities other than universities).
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching is required.
What were the submission deadlines listed in the summary?
The key dates included a white paper deadline of October 3, 2008 (by 4:00 p.m. EDST) and a full proposal deadline of January 14, 2009 (by 4:00 p.m. EST).
How were proposals required to be submitted?
Submission was required through Grants.gov.
Were award floor and ceiling amounts provided?
No. The posted summary did not specify an award ceiling or award floor.
Who is the contact for access issues with the full announcement?
The listed contact is Ernest Dixon, Procurement Analyst, at 919-549-4270 or ernie.dixon@us.army.mil.
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