Parametric Amplification at Ka Band via Nonlinear Dynamics in Superconducting 3D Cavities

Modern parametric amplifiers are based on lithographically produced superconducting thin-film planar transmission line structures. These paramps rely on resonant structures with embedded nonlinear elements to stimulate intermodulation with a stronger pump tone that gives rise to signal gain when certain conditions are satisfied. Such paramps have not yet been realised in superconducting 3D waveguide resonators. Possible applications of these devices include detector systems that are based on 3D waveguide such as dark matter detectors and quantum computers. Reported here are the results of an investigation of a 30.64 GHz series circular waveguide resonance machined from bulk niobium showing parametric gain of up to 2 dB in the presence of a stronger pump tone 10 kHz above in frequency. The gain is largest on abrupt jumps of the transmission spectra of the resonance, which may be a result of weak-link formation on the superconducting surfaces.