Evaluating Radiation Impact on Transmon Qubits Using a Fast Decay Protocol in Above and Underground Laboratories

Abstract

Superconducting qubits can be sensitive to sudden energy deposits caused by ambient radioactivity and cosmic rays. Previous studies have focused on understanding possible correlated effects over time and distance due to this radiation. In this study' for the first time' we directly compare the response of a transmon qubit measured initially at the SQMS above-ground facility (Fermilab' Illinois' USA) and then at the deep underground Gran Sasso Laboratory (INFN-LNGS' Italy). We observe the same average qubit lifetime of roughly 80 microseconds at both facilities. We then apply a fast decay detection protocol and investigate the time structure and relative rates of triggered events due to radiation versus intrinsic noise' comparing the above and underground performance of several high-coherence qubits. Using gamma sources of variable intensity we calibrate the response of the qubit to different levels of radiation in an environment with minimal background radiation. Results indicate that qubits respond to a strong gamma source' and it is possible to detect particle impacts. However' we do not observe a difference in radiation-induced-like events when comparing the above and underground results for niobium-based transmon qubits with sapphire substrates. We conclude that the majority of these events are not radiation-related and are attributed to other noise sources' which by far dominate single-qubit errors in modern transmon qubits. [1] Dominicis' Roy et al. arXiv:2405.18355