Coupled-Mode Equations with Arbitrary Mode Combinations for Kinetic-Inductance Superconducting Traveling-Wave Parametric Devices: Theory and Experimental Validation

[2606.17264] Coupled-Mode Equations with Arbitrary Mode Combinations for Kinetic-Inductance Superconducting Traveling-Wave Parametric Devices: Theory and Experimental Validation Skip to main content Search Submit Donate Log in Physics > Applied Physics arXiv:2606.17264 (physics) [Submitted on 15 Jun 2026 ( v1 ), last revised 21 Aug 2026 (this version, v2)] Title: Coupled-Mode Equations with Arbitrary Mode Combinations for Kinetic-Inductance Superconducting Traveling-Wave Parametric Devices: Theory and Experimental Validation Authors: F. Patricio Mena , Camilo Espinoza , Ryan O. Berriel , Ricardo Finger , David J. Thoen View PDF Abstract: The coupled-mode equations (CMEs) have proven very successful in describing parametric processes in nonlinear optics. More recently, the same formulation has been used to model microwave superconducting parametric amplifiers and frequency multipliers. However, when applied to the microwave regime, not all assumptions remain valid and losses play a more dramatic role. Here, we revisit the CMEs applied to traveling-wave superconducting amplifiers to include losses and provide a formulation that enables their systematic derivation for any combination of traveling waves. As examples, we discuss the impact of unwanted harmonics and intermodulation products on parametric amplification, as well as harmonic generation. We verify that, if not properly accounted for, device performance can deviate considerably from the ideal case. Furthermore, using a superconducting CPW-based artificial transmission line and combining an independent experimental determination of its nonlinear parameter $I'_*$ with simulations of its linear properties, we obtain a parameter-free validation of this formulation. The nonlinear parameter was determined to be $I'_* \approx 27$ mA which, surprisingly, scales with the theoretical depairing current and not with the much smaller critical current of the device. For the validation, we measured multiple-harmonic generation and found excellent agreement between theory and experiment. The fact that $I'_* \gg I_C$ has direct implications for device design. Comments: 11 pages, 13 figures, manuscript submitted for publication Subjects: Applied Physics (physics.app-ph) ; Superconductivity (cond-mat.supr-con); Quantum Physics (quant-ph) Cite as: arXiv:2606.17264 [physics.app-ph] (or arXiv:2606.17264v2 [physics.app-ph] for this version) https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2606.17264 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite Submission history From: Fausto Mena [ view email ] [v1] Mon, 15 Jun 2026 20:14:09 UTC (2,736 KB) [v2] Fri, 21 Aug 2026 19:58:15 UTC (2,736 KB) Full-text links: Access Paper: View PDF TeX Source view license Current browse context: physics.app-ph < prev | next > new | recent | 2026-06 Change to browse by: cond-mat cond-mat.supr-con physics quant-ph References & Citations INSPIRE HEP SciX Google Scholar Semantic Scholar export BibTeX citation Bookmark Bibliographic Tools Bibliographic and Citation Tools Bibliographic Explorer Toggle Bibliographic Explorer ( What is the Explorer? ) Connected Papers Toggle Connected Papers ( What is Connected Papers? ) Litmaps Toggle Litmaps ( What is Litmaps? ) scite.ai Toggle scite Smart Citations ( What are Smart Citations? ) Code, Data, Media Code, Data and Media Associated with this Article alphaXiv Toggle alphaXiv ( What is alphaXiv? ) Links to Code Toggle CatalyzeX Code Finder for Papers ( What is CatalyzeX? ) DagsHub Toggle DagsHub ( What is DagsHub? ) GotitPub Toggle Gotit.pub ( What is GotitPub? ) Huggingface Toggle Hugging Face ( What is Huggingface? ) ScienceCast Toggle ScienceCast ( What is ScienceCast? ) Demos Demos Replicate Toggle Replicate ( What is Replicate? ) Spaces Toggle Hugging Face Spaces ( What is Spaces? ) Spaces Toggle TXYZ.AI ( What is TXYZ.AI? ) Related Papers Recommenders and Search Tools Link to Influence Flower Influence Flower ( What are Influence Flowers? ) Core recommender toggle CORE Recommender ( What is CORE? ) Author Venue Institution Topic About arXivLabs arXivLabs: experimental projects with community collaborators arXivLabs is a framework that allows collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website. Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs have embraced and accepted our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners that adhere to them. Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? Learn more about arXivLabs . Which authors of this paper are endorsers? | Disable MathJax ( What is MathJax? ) We gratefully acknowledge support from our major funders , member institutions , and all contributors. About · Help · Contact · Subscribe · Copyright · Privacy · Accessibility · Operational Status (opens in new tab) Major funding support from (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

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