Identification of the local sources of paramagnetic noise in superconducting qubit devices fabricated on α-Al2O3 substrates using density-functional calculations.

Effective methods for decoupling superconducting qubits (SQs) from parasitic environmental noise sources are critical for increasing their lifetime and phase fidelity. While considerable progress has been made in this area, the microscopic origin of noise remains largely unknown. In this work, first principles density functional theory calculations are employed to identify the microscopic origins of magnetic noise sources in SQs on an α-Al2O3 substrate. The results indicate that it is unlikely that the existence of intrinsic point defects and defect complexes in the substrate are responsible for low frequency noise in these systems. Rather, a comprehensive analysis of extrinsic defects shows that surface aluminum ions interacting with ambient molecules will form a bath of magnetic moments that can couple to the SQ paramagnetically. The microscopic origin of this magnetic noise source is discussed and strategies for ameliorating the effects of these magnetic defects are proposed.