Coherent Oscillations in a Superconducting Multilevel Quantum System

Abstract

We have observed coherent oscillations in a multilevel quantum system, formed by a current-biased dc SQUID. These oscillations have been induced by applying resonant microwave pulses of flux. Quantum measurement is performed by a nanosecond flux pulse that projects the final state onto one of two different voltage states of the dc SQUID, which can be read out. The number of quantum states involved in the coherent oscillations increases with increasing microwave power. The dependence of the oscillation frequency on microwave power deviates strongly from the linear regime expected for a two-level system and can be very well explained by a theoretical model taking into account the anharmonicity of the multilevel system.