Efficient characterization of the coupler spectrum via sideband driving in superconducting qubits

Abstract Fabrication-friendly superconducting qubits continue to be a leading candidate for scalable quantum computing. Recent developments in tunable couplers have significantly advanced the progress toward practical quantum processors. However, high-performance quantum control, particularly two-qubit gates, depends on the delicate tuning of the coupler spectrum, as misalignment can lead to undesirable phenomena such as frequency crowding, which may cause errors including state leakage. Here, we propose an efficient method for characterizing the coupler spectrum through sideband drivings, obviating the need for additional components in current quantum processors. We demonstrate this technique experimentally by employing both continuous-wave and pulsed measurement protocols, successfully extracting the coupler spectrum. Furthermore, by utilizing the measured coupler spectrum, we calibrate the frequency dependence of the effective coupling strength between two qubits linked by the coupler. The proposed approach offers significant practical benefits, enabling the efficient characterization of the coupler spectrum in existing quantum architectures, thus paving the way for enhanced quantum control and scalability.