Use absolute values for flux pulses.

[aorgazf]

Dear all, In today's QIBO meeting we debated over whether flux pulses should be applied on top of a constant bias (relative to the sweet spot biassing value) or use absolute values that reflect the total voltage applied. I do not oppose strongly to having relative values, but I feel it would be better to use absolute values. The main two reasons to support this preference are:

• Rather than having only one reference point (the sweet spot) it is likely that qubits have different operational points (operation, parked, idling, reset).
• it is useful to work with absolute values to understand the total voltage applied and with it estimate the total current applied. Relative values of +/- 0.5 V are supposed to provide the same detuning, but if the sweetspot is a +1 V the absolute voltages applied would be +1.5 or + 0.5 V. Being able to work with the absolute values (without having to work out the conversion) may be more convenient.

For as long as all drivers apply the same criteria, changing from relative to absolute is not a high priority.