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arXiv:2009.14383physics.atom-ph

Waveguide-coupled Rydberg spectrum analyzer from 0 to 20 GHz

David H. Meyer, Paul D. Kunz, Kevin C. Cox

Abstract

We demonstrate an atomic radio-frequency (RF) receiver and spectrum analyzer based on thermal Rydberg atoms coupled to a planar microwave waveguide. We use an off-resonant RF heterodyne technique to achieve continuous operation for carrier frequencies ranging from DC to 20 GHz. The system achieves an intrinsic sensitivity of up to -120(2) dBm/Hz, DC coupling, 4 MHz instantaneous bandwidth, and over 80 dB of linear dynamic range. By connecting through a low-noise preamplifier, we demonstrate high-performance spectrum analysis with peak sensitivity of better than -145 dBm/Hz. Attaching a standard rabbit-ears antenna, the spectrum analyzer detects weak ambient signals including FM radio, AM radio, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. We also demonstrate waveguide-readout of the thermal Rydberg ensemble by non-destructively probing waveguide-atom interactions. The system opens the door for small, room-temperature, ensemble-based Rydberg sensors that surpass the sensitivity, bandwidth, and precision limitations of standard RF sensors, receivers, and analyzers.

arXiv comments
10 pages, 7 figures
Journal reference
Phys. Rev. Applied 15, 014053 (2021)
DOI
doi:10.1103/PhysRevApplied.15.014053
Subjects
physics.atom-phAtomic Physics quant-phQuantum Physics

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Linked by 4 identifiable commenters in 4 comments across 2 threads, from Feb 2021 to Apr 2023.

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Discussed in comments2 threads

  1. Army researchers detect broadest frequencies ever with quantum receiver (2021) 1 comment

    • What we've got here is a lot of marketing fluff around a Rydberg spectrum analyzer.[1][1a]. This is essentially an RF mixer[2] which, according to [1a]: rivals the performance of commercially-available spectrum analyzers with high sensitivity, 4 MHz instantaneous bandwidth, and…

      mikewarotView on HNParent context

  2. New quantum receiver the first to detect entire radio frequency spectrum 3 comments

    • Preprint of the paper described in the article: https://arxiv.org/abs/2009.14383

      mattkrauseView on HNParent context

    • Did you read the paper? https://arxiv.org/pdf/2009.14383.pdf

      qwantim1View on HNParent context

    • It's not an antenna like I thought at first. It's a tuner with 4 MHz instantaneous bandwidth and a very wide tuning range, https://arxiv.org/abs/2009.14383 - the actual (laser intensity) measurements are done within the RF electrical field above a coplanar waveguide track on a…

      superkuhView on HNParent context

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