LAUSR

We propose an efficient protocol to implement accelerated and robust population transfer in a transmon qutrit via $$\Delta $$Δ-type driving. By means of stimulated Raman adiabatic passage, we first show an adiabatic population transfer in the qutrit under a two-photon resonance. By taking advantage of the weak level anharmonicity of the qutrit, only two drivings are needed to be applied to the qutrit, forming a $$\Delta $$Δ-type interaction. With the Gaussian-shaped Rabi couplings, target population transfer can be accelerated substantially when compared to the adiabatic process. Moreover, we analyze the negligible leakages and distinct fidelity enhancement with the accessible parameters. The present scheme could offer a promising application in experimentally performing population transfer with the transmon-regime quantum circuits.