Webinars

New technologies based on smaller and ever-more powerful devices often require precise measurements of tiny signals that are buried in noise.

In this tutorial, we learned how to use lock-in amplifiers and optimize measurement parameters to get the best signal-to-noise ratio. We discussed three common use cases: optics and photonics experiments, material characterization, and resonator characterization. Finally, we looked at more advanced techniques, such as double modulation and multi-frequency measurements.

Would you like to understand and address materials losses that are a key obstacle for the next generation of quantum technology? This webinar details how low-noise measurements with lock-in amplifiers can help you optimize your materials. Jim Phillips explains Hall measurements, RF reflectometry for quantum dot stability diagrams, and the Pound-Drever-Hall (PDH) technique for resonator characterization.

Professor Corey Rae McRae of CU Boulder and NIST Boulder dives into the use of microwave resonators as a tool to better understand superconducting qubit materials at millikelvin temperatures and ultralow powers. We show recent results using PDH to perform resonator center frequency and Q-factor measurements faster than is possible with the traditional VNA method.

Read our blog post for the summary of the event and answers to the questions from the live audience.

The SPM User Meeting 2023 focused on quantum sensing, imaging, and microwave detection. Our speakers covered the following application areas: nitrogen vacancy (NV) and color centers, Scanning microwave impedance microscopy (SMIM), radio-frequency (RF) STM and RF-reflectometry, Superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs), nano-magnetic resonance imaging (nano-MRI) and spin detection. To discuss your Scanning Probe Microscopy challenge, contact Romain Stomp and read more on this topic on our page overview.

Watch the full recording of the event here.

Would you like to start qubit measurements, but don’t know how? Do you already do qubit measurements, but would like to learn tips and tricks to simplify and speed them up?

This webinar introduces essential methods used in superconducting qubit characterization: qubit spectroscopy, single-shot readout, and Rabi oscillation measurements. Through tutorials and demonstrations, we lead you from theory to practical, experimental measurements carried out on a real qubits in a dilution refrigerator. The webinar brings together device physics, instrumentation know-how, and software, all essential to realize state-of-the-art quantum experiments.

Read our blog post for the summary of the event and answers to the questions from the live audience.

Would you like to boost your signal-to-noise ratio, but don’t know how? Or do you already use Lock-in amplifiers and boxcar averagers but would like to know more about the theory and practice, while also learning some useful tips and tricks?

In this webinar, you learn about the measurement principles of lock-in amplification and boxcar averaging, understand why such instruments are beneficial for capturing small signals in optical experiments, and which applications benefit from the different approaches.

Read our blog post for the summary of the event and answers to the questions from the live audience.

As the trend towards smaller devices and higher frequencies continues, faster reliable measurements become more and more important. The GHFLI and SHFLI Microwave Lock-in Amplifiers combine the measurement speed and high noise rejection of lock-in amplifiers with a full microwave measurement suite making them ideal solutions for scientists and engineers working at these frequencies.

This virtual launch event included a presentation of the instruments, a practical demonstration and live Q&A sessions. Read our blog post for the summary of the event and answers to the questions from the live audience.

Deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) is a critical tool for the characterization of semiconductors. In this second edition of the DLTS User Meeting, Zurich Instruments brought together members of the DLTS community, to foster knowledge exchange and to network through scientific talks on the study of defects in Sb2(SSe)3, and in metal halide perovskite solar cells. Detailed tutorials also covered the study of transients and data acquisition. To read the answers to the questions during the live event, take a look at this blog post. To discuss your DLTS challenge, get in touch with Dino Klotz or Meng Li.

Would you like to start impedance measurements, but don’t know how? Or do you already use impedance spectroscopy but would like to know more about theory and practice, while also learning some practical tips and tricks?

This webinar introduces the basics of impedance spectroscopy and related analysis, and gives practical hints to avoid common errors. It consists of a tutorial lecture followed by demonstrations showing how to configure a fault-free measurement and how to optimize your setup. This blog post offers a summary of the webinar and includes the presentation as well as the answers to the questions asked during the live event.