Magnetic flux source system

A method for generating a magnetic flux via a tunable current element, the method comprising:

• activating a first control current that is provided on a first control line, the first control line being inductively coupled to a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) associated with the tunable current element, such that the first control current induces a bias flux in the SQUID to decrease relative energy barriers between discrete energy states of the tunable current element;
• activating a second control current that is provided on a second control line, the second control line being inductively coupled to an inductor provided in a series loop with the SQUID associated with the tunable current element, such that the second control current induces a control flux in the series loop to change a potential energy of the discrete energy states from a default potential energy condition of the discrete energy states of the tunable current element to set an energy state of the tunable current element to a respective one of the discrete energy states;
• deactivating the first control current to increase the relative energy barriers between the discrete energy states of the tunable current element;
• and
• deactivating the second control current to return the tunable current element to the default potential energy condition, such that the energy state of the tunable current element is maintained at the respective one of the discrete energy states based on the relative energy barriers between the discrete energy states.

A magnetic flux source system comprising a plurality of tunable current elements arranged in an array comprising at least one row and at least one column, each of the plurality of tunable current elements comprising:

• a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) that is inductively coupled to a respective one of at least one first control line associated with the respective at least one column and configured to conduct a first control current, such that the respective one of the at least one first control current induces a bias flux in the SQUID to decrease relative energy barriers between discrete energy states of the respective at least one tunable current element;
• and
• an inductor arranged in a series loop with the SQUID and being inductively coupled to one of at least one second control line configured to conduct a respective one of at least one second control current associated with the respective at least one row, such that the respective one of the at least one second control current induces a control flux in the series loop to change a potential energy of the discrete energy states of the respective at least one tunable current element to set an energy state of the at least one tunable current element to one of the discrete energy states, such that the SQUID is configured to generate a current that provides a t magnetic flux at an amplitude corresponding to the energy state of the at least one tunable current element.