diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index a1468336..1c9b8f72 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,7 +1,15 @@
 ## [Unreleased]
+### Added
+- Added `QuamBase.set_at_reference` to set a value at a reference
+- Added `string_reference.get_parent_reference` to get the parent reference of a string reference
+
+### Changed
+- `Pulse.integration_weights` now defaults to `#./default_integration_weights`, which returns [(1, pulse.length)]
+
 ### Fixed
 - Fixed issues with parameters being references in a QuamRoot object
 
+
 ## [0.3.8]
 ### Added
 - Added time tagging to channels
diff --git a/quam/components/pulses.py b/quam/components/pulses.py
index e8ec75f6..aeb6abbf 100644
--- a/quam/components/pulses.py
+++ b/quam/components/pulses.py
@@ -460,17 +460,21 @@ class ReadoutPulse(BaseReadoutPulse, ABC):
             integration weights in radians.
     """
 
-    integration_weights: Union[List[float], List[Tuple[float, int]]] = None
+    integration_weights: Union[List[float], List[Tuple[float, int]]] = (
+        "#./default_integration_weights"
+    )
     integration_weights_angle: float = 0
 
+    @property
+    def default_integration_weights(self) -> List[Tuple[float, int]]:
+        return [(1, self.length)]
+
     def integration_weights_function(self) -> List[Tuple[Union[complex, float], int]]:
         from qualang_tools.config import convert_integration_weights
 
         phase = np.exp(1j * self.integration_weights_angle)
 
-        if self.integration_weights is None or not len(self.integration_weights):
-            integration_weights = [(1, self.length)]
-        elif isinstance(self.integration_weights[0], float):
+        if isinstance(self.integration_weights[0], float):
             integration_weights = convert_integration_weights(self.integration_weights)
         else:
             integration_weights = self.integration_weights
diff --git a/quam/core/quam_classes.py b/quam/core/quam_classes.py
index f3235ebf..2dafc739 100644
--- a/quam/core/quam_classes.py
+++ b/quam/core/quam_classes.py
@@ -542,6 +542,42 @@ def print_summary(self, indent: int = 0):
             else:
                 print(" " * (indent + 2) + f"{attr}: {val}")
 
+    def set_at_reference(self, attr: str, value: Any):
+        """Follow the reference of an attribute and set the value at the reference
+
+        Args:
+            attr: The attribute to set the value at the reference of.
+            value: The value to set.
+
+        Raises:
+            ValueError: If the attribute is not a reference.
+            ValueError: If the reference is invalid, e.g. "#./" since it has no
+                attribute.
+        """
+        raw_value = self.get_unreferenced_value(attr)
+        if not string_reference.is_reference(raw_value):
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"Cannot set at reference because attr '{attr}' is not a reference. "
+                f"'{attr}' = {raw_value}"
+            )
+
+        parent_reference, ref_attr = string_reference.split_reference(raw_value)
+        if not ref_attr:
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"Unsuccessful attempt to set the value at reference {raw_value} for "
+                f"attribute {attr} because the reference is invalid as it has no "
+                "attribute"
+            )
+
+        parent_obj = self._get_referenced_value(parent_reference)
+        raw_referenced_value = parent_obj.get_unreferenced_value(ref_attr)
+        if string_reference.is_reference(raw_referenced_value) and isinstance(
+            parent_obj, QuamBase
+        ):
+            parent_obj.set_at_reference(ref_attr, value)
+        else:
+            setattr(parent_obj, ref_attr, value)
+
 
 # Type annotation for QuamRoot, can be replaced by typing.Self from Python 3.11
 QuamRootType = TypeVar("QuamRootType", bound="QuamRoot")
diff --git a/quam/utils/reference_class.py b/quam/utils/reference_class.py
index 58bf0de6..9a624a0e 100644
--- a/quam/utils/reference_class.py
+++ b/quam/utils/reference_class.py
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ def _is_reference(self, attr: str) -> bool:
         """
         raise NotImplementedError
 
-    def get_unreferenced_value(self, attr: str) -> bool:
-        """Check if an attribute is a reference"""
+    def get_unreferenced_value(self, attr: str) -> Any:
+        """Get the raw value of an attribute, returning the reference if it is one"""
         return super().__getattribute__(attr)
 
     def __getattribute__(self, attr: str) -> Any:
diff --git a/quam/utils/string_reference.py b/quam/utils/string_reference.py
index 6a7f65b5..fd703e5e 100644
--- a/quam/utils/string_reference.py
+++ b/quam/utils/string_reference.py
@@ -118,3 +118,36 @@ def get_referenced_value(obj, string: str, root=None) -> Any:
         return get_relative_reference_value(obj, string)
     except (AttributeError, KeyError) as e:
         raise ValueError(f"String {string} is not a valid reference, Error: {e}") from e
+
+
+def split_reference(string: str) -> Tuple[str, str]:
+    """Split a string reference into its parent reference and attribute
+
+    Args:
+        string: The reference string
+
+    Returns:
+        A tuple containing the parent reference string and the attribute
+
+    Raises:
+        ValueError: If the string is not a valid reference
+        ValueError: If the string equals "#/"
+
+    Examples:
+        split_reference("#/a/b/c") == ("#/a/b", "c")
+        split_reference("#/a/b") == ("#/a", "b")
+        split_reference("#/a") == ("#/", "a")
+    """
+    if not is_reference(string):
+        raise ValueError(f"String {string} is not a reference")
+    if string == "#/":
+        raise ValueError(f"String {string} has no parent")
+    if string == "#./":
+        return "#../", ""
+    if string == "#../":
+        return "#../../", ""
+
+    parent_reference, attr = string.rsplit("/", 1)
+    if parent_reference in ("#", "#.", "#.."):
+        parent_reference += "/"
+    return parent_reference, attr
diff --git a/tests/components/pulses/test_pulse_weights.py b/tests/components/pulses/test_pulse_weights.py
index 8032f64e..1813305b 100644
--- a/tests/components/pulses/test_pulse_weights.py
+++ b/tests/components/pulses/test_pulse_weights.py
@@ -24,20 +24,22 @@ def test_constant_readout_pulse_integration_weights_default():
     compare_integration_weights(expected_weights, weights)
 
 
+def test_default_integration_weights():
+    pulse = pulses.SquareReadoutPulse(length=100, amplitude=1)
+    assert pulse.default_integration_weights == [(1, 100)]
+
+
 def test_empty_integration_weights():
-    for weights in ([], np.array([]), None):
-        pulse = pulses.SquareReadoutPulse(
-            length=100, amplitude=1, integration_weights=weights
-        )
-
-        weights = pulse.integration_weights_function()
-        expected_weights = {
-            "real": [(1, 100)],
-            "imag": [(0, 100)],
-            "minus_real": [(-1, 100)],
-            "minus_imag": [(0, 100)],
-        }
-        compare_integration_weights(expected_weights, weights)
+    pulse = pulses.SquareReadoutPulse(length=100, amplitude=1)
+
+    weights = pulse.integration_weights_function()
+    expected_weights = {
+        "real": [(1, 100)],
+        "imag": [(0, 100)],
+        "minus_real": [(-1, 100)],
+        "minus_imag": [(0, 100)],
+    }
+    compare_integration_weights(expected_weights, weights)
 
 
 def test_constant_readout_pulse_integration_weights_phase_shift():
diff --git a/tests/quam_base/test_set_at_reference.py b/tests/quam_base/test_set_at_reference.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e422a3d0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/quam_base/test_set_at_reference.py
@@ -0,0 +1,157 @@
+import pytest
+from quam.core.quam_classes import QuamBase, QuamRoot, quam_dataclass
+from typing import Optional
+
+
+@quam_dataclass
+class ChildQuam(QuamBase):
+    value: int = 0
+
+
+@quam_dataclass
+class ParentQuam(QuamBase):
+    child: ChildQuam = None
+    ref_value: str = "#./child/value"
+    normal_value: int = 42
+
+
+@quam_dataclass
+class RootQuam(QuamRoot):
+    parent: ParentQuam = None
+    abs_ref: str = "#/parent/child/value"
+
+
+def test_set_at_reference():
+    """Test setting a value through a reference"""
+    parent = ParentQuam(child=ChildQuam())
+
+    # Set value through reference
+    parent.set_at_reference("ref_value", 123)
+
+    # Check that the value was set correctly
+    assert parent.child.value == 123
+    # Reference string should remain unchanged
+    assert parent.get_unreferenced_value("ref_value") == "#./child/value"
+
+
+def test_set_at_reference_non_reference():
+    """Test that setting a non-reference attribute raises ValueError"""
+    parent = ParentQuam(child=ChildQuam())
+
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="is not a reference"):
+        parent.set_at_reference("normal_value", 123)
+
+
+def test_set_at_reference_invalid_reference():
+    """Test handling of invalid references"""
+    parent = ParentQuam(child=ChildQuam())
+    parent.ref_value = "#./nonexistent/value"
+
+    with pytest.raises(AttributeError):
+        parent.set_at_reference("ref_value", 123)
+
+
+def test_unreferenced_value():
+    root = RootQuam(parent=ParentQuam(child=ChildQuam()))
+    assert root.get_unreferenced_value("abs_ref") == "#/parent/child/value"
+    assert root.parent.get_unreferenced_value("ref_value") == "#./child/value"
+
+
+def test_set_at_absolute_reference():
+    """Test setting a value through an absolute reference"""
+    root = RootQuam(parent=ParentQuam(child=ChildQuam()))
+
+    # Set value through absolute reference
+    root.set_at_reference("abs_ref", 456)
+
+    # Check that the value was set correctly
+    assert root.parent.child.value == 456
+    # Reference string should remain unchanged
+    assert root.get_unreferenced_value("abs_ref") == "#/parent/child/value"
+
+
+def test_set_at_absolute_reference_invalid():
+    """Test handling of invalid absolute references"""
+    root = RootQuam(parent=ParentQuam(child=ChildQuam()))
+    root.abs_ref = "#/nonexistent/path"
+
+    with pytest.raises(AttributeError):
+        root.set_at_reference("abs_ref", 456)
+
+
+@quam_dataclass
+class DoubleChildQuam(ChildQuam):
+    value: int = 0
+    child: Optional[ChildQuam] = None
+
+def test_set_double_reference():
+    """Test setting a value through a double reference"""
+    double_child = DoubleChildQuam(child=ChildQuam(value=42), value="#./child/value")
+    parent = ParentQuam(child=double_child, ref_value="#./child/value")
+
+    assert parent.ref_value == 42
+    assert parent.get_unreferenced_value("ref_value") == "#./child/value"
+    assert parent.child.get_unreferenced_value("value") == "#./child/value"
+
+    # Set value through double reference
+    parent.set_at_reference("ref_value", 789)
+
+    # Check that the value was set correctly in the nested child
+    assert double_child.child.value == 789
+    assert double_child.value == 789
+    assert parent.ref_value == 789
+
+    # Reference string should remain unchanged
+    assert parent.get_unreferenced_value("ref_value") == "#./child/value"
+    assert double_child.get_unreferenced_value("value") == "#./child/value"
+
+
+def test_set_nonexistent_double_reference():
+    """Test setting a value where the double reference does not exist"""
+    double_child = DoubleChildQuam(child=ChildQuam(value=42), value="#./child/nonexistent")
+    parent = ParentQuam(child=double_child, ref_value="#./child/nonexistent")
+
+    with pytest.raises(AttributeError):
+        parent.set_at_reference("ref_value", 789)
+
+
+def test_set_double_reference_to_nonexistent_item():
+    """Test setting a value through a double reference to a nonexistent item"""
+    double_child = DoubleChildQuam(child=ChildQuam(value=42), value="#./nonexistent/value")
+    parent = ParentQuam(child=double_child, ref_value="#./nonexistent/value")
+
+    with pytest.raises(AttributeError):
+        parent.set_at_reference("ref_value", 789)
+
+
+def test_set_double_reference_with_invalid_reference():
+    """Test setting a value through a double reference with an invalid reference"""
+    double_child = DoubleChildQuam(child=ChildQuam(value=42), value="#./child/invalid")
+    parent = ParentQuam(child=double_child, ref_value="#./child/invalid")
+
+    with pytest.raises(AttributeError):
+        parent.set_at_reference("ref_value", 789)
+
+def test_set_triple_reference():
+    """Test setting a value through a triple reference"""
+    triple_child = DoubleChildQuam(child=DoubleChildQuam(child=ChildQuam(value=42), value="#./child/value"), value="#./child/value")
+    parent = ParentQuam(child=triple_child, ref_value="#./child/value")
+
+    assert parent.ref_value == 42
+    assert parent.get_unreferenced_value("ref_value") == "#./child/value"
+    assert parent.child.get_unreferenced_value("value") == "#./child/value"
+    assert parent.child.child.get_unreferenced_value("value") == "#./child/value"
+
+    # Set value through triple reference
+    parent.set_at_reference("ref_value", 789)
+
+    # Check that the value was set correctly in the nested child
+    assert triple_child.child.child.value == 789
+    assert triple_child.child.value == 789
+    assert triple_child.value == 789
+    assert parent.ref_value == 789
+
+    # Reference string should remain unchanged
+    assert parent.get_unreferenced_value("ref_value") == "#./child/value"
+    assert triple_child.get_unreferenced_value("value") == "#./child/value"
+    assert triple_child.child.get_unreferenced_value("value") == "#./child/value"
diff --git a/tests/utils/test_string_reference.py b/tests/utils/test_string_reference.py
index 78c582f5..04b2f59a 100644
--- a/tests/utils/test_string_reference.py
+++ b/tests/utils/test_string_reference.py
@@ -147,3 +147,53 @@ def test_delimiter():
         assert transmon.xy.name == "q1$xy"
     finally:
         quam.utils.string_reference.DELIMITER = "."
+
+
+def test_get_parent_reference_absolute():
+    parent, attr = split_reference("#/a/b")
+    assert parent == "#/a"
+    assert attr == "b"
+
+    parent, attr = split_reference("#/a/b/c")
+    assert parent == "#/a/b"
+    assert attr == "c"
+
+    parent, attr = split_reference("#/a")
+    assert parent == "#/"
+    assert attr == "a"
+
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+        split_reference("#/")
+
+
+def test_get_parent_reference_relative():
+    parent, attr = split_reference("#./a/b")
+    assert parent == "#./a"
+    assert attr == "b"
+
+    parent, attr = split_reference("#../a/b")
+    assert parent == "#../a"
+    assert attr == "b"
+
+    parent, attr = split_reference("#./a")
+    assert parent == "#./"
+    assert attr == "a"
+
+    parent, attr = split_reference("#../a")
+    assert parent == "#../"
+    assert attr == "a"
+
+    parent, attr = split_reference("#./")
+    assert parent == "#../"
+    assert attr == ""
+
+    parent, attr = split_reference("#../")
+    assert parent == "#../../"
+    assert attr == ""
+
+
+def test_get_parent_reference_invalid():
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+        split_reference("a")
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+        split_reference("#")