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arXiv:2311.11935 · Physical Review Research

Simultaneous multiband radio-frequency detection using high-orbital-angular-momentum states in a Rydberg-atom receiver

Gianluca Allinson, Matthew J. Jamieson, Andrew R. MacKellar, Lucy A. Downes, Charles S. Adams, Kevin J. Weatherill

Published Jun 24, 2024• 24 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We demonstrate simultaneous detection of radio-frequency (rf) fields ranging from the very high-frequency (VHF) band (128 MHz) to terahertz frequencies (0.61 THz) using high-orbital-angular-momentum ( ℓ ) states in a caesium Rydberg-atom receiver. rf fields are applied concurrently to a series of atomic transitions, where the application of each field allows access to the next-highest ℓ state and the energy separations between states become progressively smaller, allowing access to a very wide range of radio frequencies. We show that the optical response of the system in the presence of the rf fields can be reproduced theoretically using a simple Lindblad-master-equation approach. Furthermore, we demonstrate experimentally that a series of amplitude-modulated tones can be detected simultaneously using a wide range of carrier frequencies. This demonstration opens the way for Rydberg receivers to access low-frequency rf bands at low principal quantum number and allows for communications across multiple bands simultaneously using a single optical receiver. Moreover, the experimental method presented allows for high-resolution spectroscopy of high-orbital-angular-momentum states in alkali-metal atoms. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

DOI
10.1103/physrevresearch.6.023317

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We demonstrate simultaneous detection of radio-frequency (rf) fields ranging from the very high-frequency (VHF) band (128 MHz) to terahertz frequencies (0.61 THz) using high-orbital-angular-momentum ( ℓ ) states in a caesium Rydberg-atom receiver. rf fields are applied concurrently to a series of atomic transitions, where the application of each field allows access to the next-highest ℓ state and the energy separations between states become progressively smaller, allowing access to a very wide range of radio frequencies. We show that the optical response of the system in the presence of the rf fields can be reproduced theoretically using a simple Lindblad-master-equation approach. Furthermore, we demonstrate experimentally that a series of amplitude-modulated tones can be detected simultaneously using a wide range of carrier frequencies. This demonstration opens the way for Rydberg receivers to access low-frequency rf bands at low principal quantum number and allows for communications across multiple bands simultaneously using a single optical receiver. Moreover, the experimental method presented allows for high-resolution spectroscopy of high-orbital-angular-momentum states in alkali-metal atoms. Published by the American Physical Society 2024
Communication technologies advance toward secure communication, with frequency hopping communication (FH-C) widely used. However, traditional FH-C is limited by slow hopping speed, narrow bandwidth, and a few hopping points. Rydberg atoms offer a solution but face challenges like poor non-resonant microwave sensitivity and local oscillator synchronization limits. Here, we propose a frequency-hopping receiver based on atomic heterodyne detection that employs high orbital angular momentum (high-OAM) Rydberg states for resonant detection of rapidly hopping radio-frequency signals across multiple, widely separated frequency bands. The high-OAM Rydberg atoms ( l =3,4,5) resonantly detect 315 MHz, 1.7 GHz, and 29.74 GHz RF hopping signals (spanning 6 octaves). With heterodyne detection and a continuous excitation scheme, the system eliminates spectral establishment time, achieving 60 khops/s without transmitter-receiver synchronization, and uses frequency combs to extend hopping points to 5 MHz around resonant frequencies. These advances demonstrate the potential of Rydberg-atom–based receivers for high-speed and wide-band frequency-hopping communication.
We demonstrate resonant detection of rf electric fields from 240 to 900 MHz (very high frequency to ultrahigh frequency) using electromagnetically induced transparency to measure orbital angular momentum $L=3\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{L}^{\ensuremath{'}}=4$ Rydberg transitions. These Rydberg states are accessible with three-photon infrared optical excitation. By resonantly detecting rf in the electrically small regime, these states enable a new class of atomic receivers. We find good agreement between measured spectra and predictions of quantum defect theory for principal quantum numbers n=45n=45n=45 to 70. Using a superhetrodyne detection setup, we measure the noise floor at n=50n=50n=50 to be $13\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\textmu{}\mathrm{V}/(\mathrm{m}\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}})$. Additionally, we utilize data and a numerical model incorporating a five-level master equation solution to estimate the fundamental sensitivity limits of our system.
Electric field sensors based on Rydberg atoms offer unique capabilities, relative to traditional sensors, for detecting radio-frequency (rf) signals. In this work, we demonstrate simultaneous demodulation and detection of five rf tones spanning nearly two decades (six octaves), from 1.7 GHz to 116 GHz. We show continuous recovery of the phase and amplitude of each tone and report on the sensitivity of the system and its bandwidth capabilities for multiband detection. We use these capabilities to demonstrate a digital communication protocol, simultaneously receiving on-off-keyed binary data from four bands spanning nearly one decade of frequency.
Rydberg electric field sensors exploit the structured multitude of electronic transitions between Rydberg atomic states. In this way, they can detect electric fields with frequencies spanning DC to THz. However, difficulty accessing resonant transitions at ultra-high frequencies (UHF, 0.3-30 GHz) and below hinders their applicability within this ubiquitous band of the world’s wireless communications infrastructure. We present a Rydberg electric field sensor operating in the UHF band using a resonant dual-optical dual-microwave spectroscopy scheme. This enables access to transitions with lower resonant frequencies, and higher angular momentum (L = 3→4), than those typically used in Rydberg sensors. We measure the resonant sensitivity of our system at 2.3 GHz to be 70(5) µVm−1Hz−1/2, 50 times better than the measured sensitivity with a far off-resonant probing scheme at this frequency. Moreover, we demonstrate the effectiveness of this scheme by measuring Sirius XM satellite radio (2.320 - 2.345 GHz) received outside the laboratory and rebroadcast onto the atoms.
Recent advances in Rydberg-atom electrometry detail promising applications in radio frequency communications. Presently, most applications use carrier frequencies greater than 1 GHz where resonant Autler–Townes splitting provides the highest sensitivity. This letter documents a series of experiments with Rydberg atomic sensors to collect and process waveforms from the automated identification system (AIS) used in maritime navigation in the very high frequency (VHF) band. Detection in this band is difficult with conventional resonant Autler–Townes based Rydberg sensing and requires a new approach. We show the results of a method called high angular momentum matching excited Raman (HAMMER), which enhances low frequency detection and exhibits superior sensitivity compared to the traditional AC Stark effect. From measurements of electromagnetically induced transparency in rubidium and cesium vapor cells, we show the relationship between incident electric field strength and observed signal-to-noise ratio and find that the sensitivity of the HAMMER scheme in rubidium achieved an equivalent single VHF tone sensitivity of 100μV/m/Hz. With these results, we estimate the usable range of the atomic vapor cell antenna for AIS waveforms given current technology and detection techniques.
Detecting microwave signals over a wide frequency range has numerous advantages as it enables simultaneous transmission of a large amount of information, and access to more spectrum resources. This capability is crucial for applications such as microwave communication, remote sensing, and radar. However, conventional microwave receiving systems are limited by amplifiers and band-pass filters that can only operate efficiently in a specific frequency range. Typically, these systems can only process signals within a three-fold frequency range, which limits the data transfer bandwidth of the microwave communication systems. Developing novel atom-integrated microwave sensors, for example, radio frequency (RF)-chip coupled Rydberg atomic receiver, provides opportunities for a large working bandwidth of microwave sensing at the atomic level. Here, an ultra-wide dual-band RF sensing scheme is demonstrated by space-division multiplexing two RF-chip-integrated atomic receiver modules. The system can simultaneously receive dual-band microwave signals that span a frequency range exceeding 6 octaves (300 MHz and 24 GHz). This work paves the way for multi-band microwave reception applications within an ultra-wide range by RF-chip-integrated Rydberg atomic sensor.