Multi-qubit measurements with a Josephson Photomultiplier

The ability to measure multi-qubit parity is critical for the realization of a fault-tolerant quantum information processor. For a system of transmon qubits coupled to a superconducting cavity, a threshold photon detector can provide an efficient path towards the digital readout of qubit parity after the parity information is mapped onto the cavity photon occupation. We will describe progress towards the implementation of such a scheme for measuring the parity of two transmon qubits. On-chip flux bias lines allow us to tune the dispersive cavity shifts related to the state of the two qubits and an appropriately shaped pulse driven to the cavity results in a bright state for one parity but not the other. A Josephson Photomultiplier then serves as a phase-insensitive digital detector of the microwave photons that leak out of the cavity. Future improvements and various technical difficulties will be discussed.