Cryogenic Quantum Tunnel Interconnects at a Distance

Description

BACKGROUND

The subject disclosure relates to cryogenic systems, and more specifically to cryogenic tunnel interconnects at a distance.

SUMMARY

The following presents a summary to provide a basic understanding of one or more embodiments of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or critical elements, or delineate any scope of the particular embodiments or any scope of the claims. Its sole purpose is to present concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. In one or more embodiments described herein, systems, devices and/or method that facilitate cryogenic tunnel interconnects at a distance are described.

According to an embodiment, a cryogenic system can comprise a first cryostat and a second cryostat. In an embodiment, the cryogenic system can further comprise a tunnel that connects the first cryostat and the second cryostat, wherein the tunnel contracts or expands in length between the first cryostat and the second cryostat.

According to another embodiment, a cryogenic system can comprise a plurality of cryostats. In an embodiment, the cryogenic system can further comprise a plurality of tunnels that connect the plurality of cryostats, wherein the plurality of tunnels contract or expand in length.

According to another embodiment, a cryogenic system can comprise a plurality of cryogenic environments. In an embodiment, the cryogenic system can further comprise a plurality of tunnels that connect the plurality of cryogenic environments, wherein the plurality of tunnels contract or expand in length.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of cryostats connected by a tunnel in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a tunnel in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cutaway view of a tunnel in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a set of overlapping concentric radiation shields in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front transparent view of an overlapping concentric radiation shield in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of an overlapping concentric radiation shield with detached shields in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates an orthographic view of a gate valve in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates an orthographic view of a flange with a twist-lock mechanism in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates an orthographic view of a handling bar in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of an outer vacuum chamber of a cryostat in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 11 back illustrates a front view of an outer vacuum chamber of a cryostat in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 12 illustrates a front view of a middle outer vacuum chamber of a cryostat in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 13 illustrates a front-side view of a middle outer vacuum chamber of a cryostat in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 14 illustrates an orthographic view of an upper outer vacuum chamber with removable panels of a cryostat in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 15 illustrates an orthographic view of a set of overlapping concentric radiation shields with removable panels of a cryostat in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 16 illustrates a front-side view of a set of overlapping concentric radiation shields with removable panels of a cryostat in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 17 illustrates an additional front-side view of a set of overlapping concentric radiation shields with removable panels of a cryostat in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 18 illustrates a side view of a flange of an overlapping concentric radiation shield attached to a corresponding flange of a radiation shield in a cryostat in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 19 illustrates a front view of a triangular configuration of cryostats connected by tunnels in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit embodiments and/or application or uses of embodiments. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied information presented in the preceding Background or Summary sections, or in the Detailed Description section.

According to an embodiment, a cryogenic system can comprise a first cryostat and a second cryostat. In an embodiment, the cryogenic system can further comprise a tunnel that connects the first cryostat and the second cryostat, wherein the tunnel contracts or expands in length between the first cryostat and the second cryostat. Such embodiments of the system can provide a number of advantages, including enabling serviceability without disassembling the quantum interconnect, improving scalability of cryogenic systems, and improving ease of manufacturing and assembly.

In one or more embodiments of the aforementioned cryogenic system, the tunnel can comprise a gate valve that isolates the first cryostat from the second cryostat when closed. Such embodiments of the system can provide the advantage of enabling thermal and electrical isolation between the first and second cryostat.

In one or more embodiments of the aforementioned cryogenic system, the tunnel can comprise a plurality of overlapping concentric radiation shields that contract or expand the tunnel along a central axis of the plurality of overlapping concentric radiation shields. Such embodiments of the system can provide advantage of enabling thermal contraction or expansion as the cryogenic system cools or warms while also providing flexibility in configurations of cryostats to improve scalability of the cryogenic system.

In one or more embodiments of the aforementioned cryogenic system, the plurality of overlapping concentric radiation shields can comprise insulator rings that thermally isolate the plurality of overlapping concentric radiation shields. Such embodiments of the system can provide advantage of enabling thermal isolation between the first and second cryostat, and thus enabling easier serviceability.

In one or more embodiments of the aforementioned cryogenic system, the plurality of overlapping concentric radiation shields can comprise a set of flanges associated with distinct temperature stages that attach to radiation shields that correspond to the distinct temperature stages within the first cryostat or the second cryostat, and wherein the set of flanges comprise a twist-lock mechanism for thermal contact. In one or more embodiments of the aforementioned cryogenic system, each of the radiation shields can comprise a mating flange that corresponds to a flange in the set of flanges in the tunnel. Such embodiments of the system can provide the advantage of providing mechanical support and enabling thermal isolation between different temperature stages.

In one or more embodiments of the aforementioned cryogenic system, the radiation shields of the first cryostat or the second cryostat can comprise removable panels. Such embodiments of the system can provide advantage of improving ease of serviceability.

In one or more embodiments of the aforementioned cryogenic system, the plurality of overlapping concentric radiation shields can be electrically isolated. In one or more embodiments of the aforementioned cryogenic system, the cryogenic system can further comprise an outer vacuum chamber that is electrically isolated from the tunnel, the first cryostat, and the second cryostat. Such embodiments of the system can provide the advantage of enabling electrical isolation between the first and second cryostat, and thus enabling easier serviceability.

In one or more embodiments of the aforementioned cryogenic system, the tunnel can comprise a handling bar that horizontally supports the first cryostat or the second cryostat, and wherein the handling bar absorbs compression loads to prevent collapsing of the tunnel. Such embodiments of the system can provide the advantage of easy handling for picking up the tunnel for assembly or installation, and preventing collapsing of the first or second cryostats when under a vacuum by preventing the first or second cryostats from experiencing large deflections.

In one or more embodiments of the aforementioned cryogenic system, the outer vacuum chamber can comprise removable panels to access the radiation shields of the first cryostat or the second cryostat. Such embodiments of the system can provide advantage of improving ease of serviceability.

In one or more embodiments of the aforementioned cryogenic system, the outer vacuum chamber can comprise a set of ports on the outer vacuum chamber to support different angular configurations. Such embodiments of the system can provide advantage of improving scalability of the cryogenic system by enabling different configurations or topologies of cryostats.

Variations of One or More Embodiments are Also Envisioned

Cryogenic systems are significant in quantum technologies for maintaining ultra-low temperatures necessary to support delicate quantum states, particularly in applications such as superconducting qubits, quantum sensors, and other sensitive quantum devices. Quantum links, or quantum channels, enable transportation of quantum information between two spatially separated systems, such as cryogenic environments or cryostats. Establishing a robust quantum link between cryogenic systems is important in distributed quantum computing, where separate quantum processors or storage units need to interact without losing coherence. To achieve this, the quantum information is transmitted across a structure designed to preserve quantum state with highest possible fidelity. This means maintaining integrity of the quantum state without any degradation in quantum-channel fidelity, ensuring reliable, high-precision interactions between cryogenic systems over a distance. This capability is pivotal for scaling up quantum networks. Yet, for a quantum computer to be effective, payloads should be able to send electromagnetic signals to their neighbors over quantum-link cables that are as short as possible, and which remain superconducting over their entire length to minimize loss.

However, existing methods to create quantum links between cryogenic environments to transport quantum information face significant challenges with scalability, serviceability, and manufacturability. Current approaches often require disassembly of the quantum link for service or maintenance, which can cause damage and degrade the system's overall performance. Furthermore, existing methods lack flexibility and do not provide a way to isolate specific cryogenic elements, making it difficult to service individual nodes within an interconnected array without disrupting the entire system. Thus, when cryogenic environments share a common vacuum space, such existing methods have to disable the entire system if any component fails, which can be costly in terms of overall duty cycle to end users.

In one or more embodiments described herein, systems, devices and/or method that facilitate cryogenic quantum interconnects at a distance are described that address the above-described problems with existing cryogenic systems and quantum channels between cryostats. In one or more embodiments described herein, a cryogenic system can comprise a first cryostat and a second cryostat. In one or more embodiments, the cryogenic system can further comprise a tunnel that connects the first cryostat and the second cryostat, wherein the tunnel contracts or expands in length between the first cryostat and the second cryostat. In one or more embodiments, the tunnel can connect the first cryostat and the second cryostat while preserving conditions at each temperature stage. Accordingly, the tunnel of the cryogenic system can enable transmission of quantum information between cryostats at a distance. That is, the tunnel can house the quantum information while preserving the quantum state at a high fidelity. Further, the tunnel can change length to accommodate different angular and geometric configurations of the cryostats. For example, a plurality of tunnels can connect a plurality of cryostats, wherein the plurality of tunnels can change length to enable such different angular and geometric configurations. Thus, the tunnels of the cryogenic system can transport microwave-based quantum entanglement to enable multi-node quantum computations. Moreover, such flexibility of connecting the plurality of cryostats with the plurality of tunnels can improve scalability of the system and allow reconfigurations of the plurality of cryostats. Additionally, in one or more embodiments described herein, an outer vacuum chamber of the first cryostat or the second cryostat can comprise removable panels that enable servicing to the radiation shields in the first cryostat or the second cryostat. That is, the removable panels can facilitate easier maintenance and repairs, because the panels can be removed and reattached to access the radiation shields in the first cryostat or the second cryostat without disassembling the tunnel or the tunnel connections. Thus, integrity of the system can be maintained and disabling of the entire system can be avoided. In one or more embodiments, the tunnel and cryostats can be modular by creating clusters of cryostats with tunnels. Modularity of the cryostats can reduce design effort and expense required to scale the quantum computer, because it suffices merely to connect another cluster of cryostats with a tunnel to an existing cluster of cryostats. Variations of one or more embodiments are also envisioned.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of cryostats connected by a tunnel in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a cryogenic system 100 can comprise a cryostat 101A and a cryostat 101B. The cryogenic system can further comprise a tunnel 200 that can connect cryostat 101A to cryostat 101B. As used herein, cryostats 101 refers to cryostat 101A and cryostat 101B.

Cryostat 101A can comprise a port 102A and a port 104A. Similarly, cryostat 101B can comprise a port 102B and a port 104B. Such ports can be access points in cryostat 101A or cryostat 101B to which tunnel 200 can connect through. Furthermore, such ports can be situated at any suitable angle around the cryostat. For example, using tunnel 200 as a 0-degree reference point, port 102A and port 102B can be located at a 30-degree position from the 0-degree reference point. As another example, port 104A and port 104B can be located at a 180-degree position from the 0-degree reference point (e.g., opposite side of the 0-degree reference point). Cryostat 101A or cryostat 101B can comprise any suitable number of ports. For example, cryostat 101A can comprise two of port 102A with a 30-degree position on both sides of the 0-degree reference point, as further illustrated by FIG. 12. In any case, such ports can facilitate connections of tunnel 200 to cryostats 101 with different angular configurations.

Tunnel 200 can further comprise a gate valve 700, which is further illustrated by FIG. 7. Gate valve 700 can be opened or closed to connect or isolate cryostat 101A from cryostat 101B. Specifically, gate valve 700 can be closed to isolate cryostat 101A from cryostat 101B. Conversely, gate valve 700 can be opened to connect cryostat 101A to cryostat 101B.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of tunnel 200 in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. Tunnel 200 can comprise an outer vacuum jacket 202. Outer vacuum jacket 202 can enable creation of a common vacuum space between cryostat 101A and cryostat 101B.

Tunnel 200 can further comprise a handling bar 900, which is further illustrated by FIG. 9. Handling bar 900 can be positioned vertically above tunnel 200 to provide a handle for picking up tunnel 200 for installation (or removal), but other positionings of handling bar 900 are possible as well. Moreover, handling bar 900 can provide horizontal support to cryostat 101A and cryostat 101B. Specifically, handling bar 900 can prevent cryostats 101 from experiencing large deflections (e.g., physical deformation, bending, or displacement) when under vacuum conditions. When under vacuum conditions, tunnel 200 will naturally want to collapse, putting force on cryostats 101. To prevent collapsing of tunnel 200, handling bar 900 can absorb the compression load.

As shown in FIG. 2, tunnel 200 can further comprise a set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400, the set comprising a radiation shield 410, a radiation shield 420, and a radiation shield 430, which are further illustrated by FIGS. 3-6. In general, the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 can comprise two or more radiation shields that are aligned along a central axis such that they partially or fully cover each other (e.g., the height or length of one radiation shield overlaps with the height or length of another radiation shield). Specifically, the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 can be aligned approximately 1-2 mm in radius from the central axis. In various instances, the two or more radiation shields of the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 can overlap in the axial direction by 30-50 mm to prevent light leaks. Furthermore, in various cases, the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 can be coated in an absorber.

In various aspects, super insulation (e.g., a type of thermal insulation to minimize heat transfer, typically consisting of multiple layers of reflective materials separated by low-conductivity spacers) can be applied to the outer vacuum jacket 202 and the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400.

In various embodiments, tunnel 200 can be any suitable length or have any suitable diameter. In other words, the tunnel 200 is not inherently limited in length or diameter.

In various aspects, the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 can be thermally isolated and cooled from cryostat 101A and from cryostat 101B. Accordingly, cryostat 101A and cryostat 101B can be responsible for cooling their respective radiation shields so tunnel 200 does not create a thermal short between cryostat 101A and cryostat 101B.

Referring to FIG. 3, which illustrates a cutaway view of tunnel 200, each of the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 can be split into two overlapping sides. By splitting each of the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 into two overlapping sides (e.g., a left side and a right side), the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 can expand or contract, causing tunnel 200 to contract or expand along the central axis. In other words, each radiation shield can be split into two sides, where one side is nested within the other side. Such overlapping concentric structure of the radiation shields can enable ease of assembly and handling of CTE (Coefficient of Thermal Expansion) issues.

As shown, set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 can comprise a left radiation shield 410L, a right radiation shield 410R, a left radiation shield 420L, a right radiation shield 420R, a left radiation shield 430L, and a right radiation shield 430R. As used herein, radiation shield 410 refers collectively to left radiation shield 410L and right radiation shield 410R, radiation shield 420 refers collectively to left radiation shield 420L and right radiation shield 420R, and radiation shield 430 refers collectively to left radiation shield 430L and right radiation shield 430R. That is, set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 can comprise radiation shield 410, radiation shield 420, and radiation shield 430.

Radiation shield 410, radiation shield 420, and radiation shield 430 can each be associated with distinct temperature stages. For example, radiation shield 410 can be associated with the 50 Kelvin (K) stage, radiation shield 420 can be associated with the 4K stage, and radiation shield 430 can be a still shield.

As shown in FIG. 3, radiation shield 410, radiation shield 420, and radiation shield 430 can be aligned along a central axis, along which they can contract or expand, and can differ in diameter such that one radiation shield can fit within another radiation shield. That is, each of the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 can be of similar or same design but can each comprise different diameters. For example, radiation shield 410, radiation shield 420, and radiation shield 430 can comprise diameters d₁,d₂, and d₃, respectively, such that d₁>d₂>d₃.

FIG. 4 further illustrates a front view of the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400. The left radiation shield 410L can comprise a diameter larger than that of right radiation shield 410R, allowing left radiation shield 410L to overlap right radiation shield 410R. Similarly, radiation shield 420 and radiation shield 430 can comprise a similar structure. Thus, left radiation shield 420L can overlap right radiation shield 420R, and left radiation shield 430L can overlap right radiation shield 430R.

In various embodiments, each side of the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 can be anchored to its parent cryostat. For instance, left radiation shield 410L can be thermally and electrically anchored to cryostat 101A and right radiation shield 410R can be thermally and electrically anchored to cryostat 101B. Similarly, left radiation shield 420L can be thermally and electrically anchored to cryostat 101A and right radiation shield 420R can be thermally and electrically anchored to cryostat 101B. Further, left radiation shield 430L can be thermally and electrically anchored to cryostat 101A and right radiation shield 430R can be thermally and electrically anchored to cryostat 101B.

In various aspects, radiation shield 410, radiation shield 420, and radiation shield 430 can be anchored to different temperature stages of cryostats 101. That is, radiation shield 410, radiation shield 420, and radiation shield 430 can each be anchored to a corresponding temperature stage in cryostat 101A and cryostat 101B. For instance, radiation shield 410 can be anchored to a 50K stage in cryostat 101A and in cryostat 101B. Similarly, radiation shield 420 can be anchored to a 4K stage in cryostat 101A and in cryostat 101B, and radiation shield 430 can be anchored to a still stage in cryostat 101A and in cryostat 101B.

Each of the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 can further comprise flanges. Specifically, left radiation shield 410L can comprise a left flange 412L, and right radiation shield 410R can comprise a right flange 412R. Similarly, left radiation shield 420L can comprise a left flange 422L, and right radiation shield 420R can comprise a right flange 422R. Further, left radiation shield 430L can comprise a left flange 432L, and right radiation shield 430R can comprise a right flange 432R. The flanges can provide secure attachment points for anchoring each side of the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 to its parent cryostats.

Each of the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 can further comprise a set of insulating rings 402, such as insulating ring 402L and insulating ring 402R. The set of insulating rings 402 can provide mechanical support to the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400. Moreover, the set of insulating rings 402 can thermally isolate each of the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 from each other. For example, the set of insulating rings 402 can thermally isolate radiation shield 410 at a 50K stage from radiation shield 420 at a 4K stage.

Referring to FIG. 5, which illustrates a front transparent view of radiation shield 410, each of the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 can comprise Kapton tape 502 on the right radiation shields (or on the side with a smaller diameter than the other side). As shown, for example, right radiation shield 410R can comprise Kapton tape 502. The Kapton tape 502 can electrically isolate each of the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400.

FIG. 6 illustrates an additional front view of radiation shield 410 where right radiation shield 410R is axially separated from left radiation shield 410L. Further illustrated by FIG. 6, each side of radiation shield 410 can comprise an insulating ring. That is, left radiation shield 410L can comprise insulating ring 402L and right radiation shield 410R can comprise insulating ring 402R to thermally isolate the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400.

FIG. 7 illustrates an orthographic view of gate valve 700 in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. As stated elsewhere in the present disclosure, gate valve 700 can be closed to isolate cryostat 101A from cryostat 101B. Gate valve 700 can comprise a tube 704. On each end of tube 704, gate valve 700 can comprise an O-ring 701, a flange 702, and bellows 703. Gate valve 700 can further comprise clamps 705 on tube 704.

FIG. 8 illustrates an orthographic view of a flange with a twist-lock mechanism 800 in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. As stated elsewhere in the present disclosure, each of the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 can comprise flanges (e.g., flanges 412, flanges 422, and flanges 432). Flange 412L can comprise a twist-lock mechanism through internal springs 802. The internal springs 802 can apply force to lock flange 412L after twisting. The twist-lock on flange 412L on tunnel 200 can also provide thermal contact with the corresponding flanges (e.g., 1404) on the cryostats 101 when attached together. Thus, flange 412L can apply sufficient force on the surface of the flange on the corresponding radiation shield of cryostat 101A to thermalize radiation shield 410.

Flange 412L can further have a recess 804 for tunnel weldment. More specifically, recess 804 can be a structural cavity in which left radiation shield 410L can be securely joined. Flange 412L can further comprise holes 806 for a spanner wrench. That is, holes 806 can allow for the use of a spanner wrench to tighten or loosen the twist-lock mechanism, such as to lock flange 412L into the mating surface.

The twist-lock mechanism 800 provided by the flanges can facilitate easier assembly when mating the flanges of tunnel 200 to the corresponding flanges on the radiation shields of cryostats 101. Although FIG. 8 only depicts flange 412L on left radiation shield 410L, the other flanges can comprise the same structure with the twist-lock mechanism 800, providing the same functionality and advantages.

FIG. 9 illustrates an orthographic view of handling bar 900 in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. As shown in FIG. 9, handling bar 900 can comprise, on each end, an insulator 902.

FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of an outer vacuum chamber 1000 of a cryostat in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. Cryostats 101 can each be housed in outer vacuum chamber 1000. Outer vacuum chamber 1000 can comprise an outer vacuum chamber flange 1002. Outer vacuum chamber 1000 can further comprise a middle outer vacuum chamber 1200 and an upper outer vacuum chamber 1400. Middle outer vacuum chamber 1200 can be further illustrated by FIG. 12, and upper outer vacuum chamber 1400 can be further illustrated by FIG. 14. The outer vacuum chamber flange 1002 can be affixed to the middle outer vacuum chamber 1200. FIG. 11 illustrates an additional back view of outer vacuum chamber 1000 of the cryostat in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

Referring to FIG. 12, which illustrates a front view of middle outer vacuum chamber 1200, middle outer vacuum chamber 1200 can comprise removable panels 1202. For example, middle outer vacuum chamber 1200 can comprise O-ring-sealed removable panel 1202.1 and O-ring-sealed removable panel 1202.2 that can be removed to allow servicing or repairing the cryostat within the outer vacuum chamber 1000 without disassembling tunnel 200 and its connections to the cryostats. Following cryostat service or repair, removable panels 1202 can be reattached. In various aspects, the middle outer vacuum chamber 1200 can be rotated to support different configurations of cryostats 101.

As further illustrated in FIG. 12, middle outer vacuum chamber 1200 can further comprise a middle outer vacuum chamber flange 1210. The ports 104 can be located on the middle outer vacuum chamber flange 1210. For any port, middle outer vacuum chamber 1200 can comprise a middle outer vacuum chamber O-ring 1204 and a middle-outer-vacuum-chamber insulating ring 1206. In various cases, middle outer vacuum chamber 1200 can comprise a middle outer vacuum chamber tunnel cap 1208 for any port not in use to connect to tunnel 200.

FIG. 13 illustrates an additional closer view of port 102 on middle outer vacuum chamber 1200. The middle-outer-vacuum-chamber insulating ring 1206 can electrically isolate cryostat 101A from cryostat 101B, ensuring that cryostats 101 do not make ground loops. Each port can further comprise a U-shaped support 1302 that can handle the vertical load of tunnel 200. Ports 102 can exhibit a similar structure to ports 104, as illustrated in FIGS. 12-14.

FIG. 14 illustrates an orthographic view of upper outer vacuum chamber 1400. As shown, upper outer vacuum chamber 1400 can comprise removable panels, similar to middle outer vacuum chamber 1200. For example, upper outer vacuum chamber 1400 can comprise O-ring-sealed removable panel 1402. In various aspects, the upper outer vacuum chamber 1400 can be rotated to support different configurations of cryostats 101.

Although FIGS. 12-14 depict two removable panels on the middle outer vacuum chamber 1200 and the upper outer vacuum chamber 1400, there can be any suitable number of removable panels that can enable servicing or repairs to the cryostat housed within the outer vacuum chamber 1000. For example, upper outer vacuum chamber 1400 can comprise O-ring-sealed removable panel 1402 on each side (e.g., 4 removable panels) to allow servicing of the radiation shields of cryostats 101.

Turning to FIG. 15, cryostat 101A and cryostat 101B can also comprise a set of concentric radiation shields 1500, similar to set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400. Set of concentric radiation shields 1500 can comprise a radiation shield 1510, a radiation shield 1520, and a radiation shield 1530, each of which can comprise a plurality of removable panels 1502 that are similar to the removable panels (e.g., 1202, 1402) on the outer vacuum chamber 1000, except that removable panels 1502 do not comprise O-ring seals. For example, each of the concentric radiation shields 1500 can comprise a removable panel 1502.1 on one side and a removable panel 1502.2 on an opposite side.

Furthermore, each of the concentric radiation shields 1500 can correspond to the distinct temperature stages of the cryostat, to which the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 are thermally connected. For example, radiation shield 1510 can be associated with the 50K stage, corresponding to the 50K stage of radiation shield 410. Radiation shield 1520 can be associated with the 4K stage, corresponding to the 4K stage of radiation shield 420. For each of the concentric radiation shields 1500, there can be affixed a tunnel mounting flange 1504 (e.g., a mating flange) that aligns with ports 102 or ports 104. The tunnel mounting flange 1504 for each of the concentric radiation shields 1500 can thus correspond to each flange (e.g., flanges 412, flanges 422, flanges 432) on tunnel 200.

In various embodiments, each of the concentric radiation shields 1500 can comprise a tunnel support twist lock 1602.

FIG. 16 illustrates an additional view of concentric radiation shields 1500. As shown in FIG. 16, the removable panels 1502 can be located on each side of the concentric radiation shields 1500, next to the tunnel mounting flange 1504. FIG. 17 illustrates another view of concentric radiation shields 1500 where one of removable panels 1502 is removed.

FIG. 18 illustrates a side view of right flange 412R of right radiation shield 410R attached to a corresponding radiation shield of cryostat 101B. Through any of the ports on cryostat 101B, tunnel 200 can be connected to cryostat 101B by mating right flange 412R to tunnel mounting flange 1504. Since radiation shield 410 corresponds to the 50K temperature stage, tunnel mounting flange 1504, to which right flange 412R is affixed via twist-lock mechanism 800, will belong to the radiation shield of concentric radiation shields 1500 that also corresponds to the 50K temperature stage. Thus, radiation shield 410 can be anchored to the 50K stage of cryostat 101B. The flanges of tunnel 200 that correspond to the other temperature stages can be affixed to cryostat 101B in a same fashion, and thus can anchor each of the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 to be anchored to corresponding temperature stages in cryostat 101B. Likewise, this is also applicable to connect tunnel 200 to cryostat 101A, where each of the set of overlapping concentric radiation shields 400 can be anchored to corresponding temperature stages in cryostat 101A.

For example, to anchor radiation shield 420 to the 4K stage of cryostat 101B, right flange 422R of radiation shield 420 can be mated to a tunnel mounting flange on radiation shield 1520, which corresponds to the 4K stage of cryostat 101B. Similarly, to anchor radiation shield 430 to the still stage of cryostat 101B, right flange 432R of radiation shield 430 can be mated to a tunnel mounting flange on radiation shield 1530, which corresponds to the still stage of cryostat 101B.

Although embodiment 100 described above comprises just two cryostats connected by a tunnel (e.g., cryostats 101 and tunnel 200), a plurality of cryostats can be connected by a plurality of tunnels. That is, the plurality of cryostats can be connected by the plurality of tunnels, wherein each tunnel connects two cryostats. This can enable a variety of angular and geometric configurations of the plurality of cryostats. Specifically, this can support configurations from 1 to 6 interconnects with varied geometries.

FIG. 19 depicts a non-limiting example of a configuration 1900 of more than two cryostats. In particular, FIG. 2—depicts a triangular configuration of three cryostats connected using three tunnels, wherein each tunnel connects two cryostats. Specifically, cryostat 101A and cryostat 101B can be connected by a first tunnel, cryostat 101B and a cryostat 101C can be connected by a second tunnel, and cryostat 101C and cryostat 101A can be connected by a third tunnel. In such triangular configuration, the three tunnels can be connected at ports 102 situated at 30-degree positions on each side of the 0-degree reference point of each of the three cryostats.

In various aspects, the triangular configuration of the three cryostats can be considered a cluster that is modular. That is, additional clusters can be connected to the existing cluster via an additional tunnel (e.g., via tunnel connection from port 104 of a first cluster to port 104 of a second cluster). This way, such modulation of clusters can be scalable and, in various cases, reconfigured to accommodate different angular or geometric configurations. Further, due to the electrical isolation of the ports on the cryostats (e.g., ports 102 and ports 104), that cryostats can be prevented from making ground loops between each other.

Note that, this is a non-limiting example and that two or more tunnels can be used to connect a cluster of up to 6 cryostats in any suitable geometry. For instance, four tunnels can be used to connect a cluster of four cryostats in a square configuration. In another instance, four tunnels can be used to connect a cluster of four cryostats in any rectangular configuration. In any case, two or more clusters can be connected via additional tunnels to connect a plurality of cryostats.

Embodiments of the present invention may be a system, a method, and/or an apparatus at any possible technical detail level of integration. What has been described above includes mere examples of systems, methods, and apparatus. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or computer-implemented methods for purposes of describing this disclosure, but one of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many further combinations and permutations of this disclosure are possible. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “possesses,” and the like are used in the detailed description, claims, appendices and drawings, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

In addition, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. Moreover, articles “a” and “an” as used in the subject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. As used herein, the terms “example” and/or “exemplary” are utilized to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as an “example” and/or “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The descriptions of the various embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

While certain example embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope the disclosures herein. Thus, nothing in the foregoing description is intended to imply that any particular feature, characteristic, step, module, or block is necessary or indispensable. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosures herein. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of certain of the disclosures herein.