Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:2604.18440

Coherent terahertz field tomographic imaging in warm Rydberg vapors

Jan Nowosielski, Marcin Jastrzębski, Wojciech Wasilewski, Mateusz Mazelanik, Michal P. Parniak

Published Apr 20, 2026• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Rydberg atom-based sensors have emerged as highly sensitive tools for terahertz (THz) metrology, yet most current imaging techniques discard crucial phase information. In this Letter, we present a coherent THz-to-optical conversion scheme in warm Rb vapor that enables complex-amplitude field imaging. By manipulating the phase-matching conditions via an adjustable interference pattern of optical probe beams, we demonstrate the ability to perform tomographic reconstruction of the THz field distribution. We experimentally validate the spatial resolution and phase-sensitivity of the system by resolving sub-centimeter features and identifying incident angles of arrival. Our results establish a robust framework for phase-resolved THz imaging and holography using atomic vapors at room temperature.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.2604.18440

Related papers

Terahertz receiver based on room-temperature Rydberg-atoms

Ya-Yi Lin, Zhen-Yue She, Zhi-Wen Chen +8 more

Realization of practical terahertz wireless communications still faces many challenges. The receiver with high sensitivity is important for THz wireless communications. Here we demonstrate a terahertz receiver based on the cesium Rydberg atoms in a room-temperature vapor cell. The minimum detectable THz electric field is calibrated. With this receiver, the phase-sensitive conversion of amplitude-modulated or frequency-modulated terahertz waves into optical signals is performed. The results show that the atomic receiver has many advantages due to its quantum properties. Particularly, the long distance THz wireless communications is achievable using this receiver. Furthermore, the atomic receiver can be used in the THz wireless-to-optical link.

arXiv:2205.11021•Fundamental Research•Mar 14, 2023•19 citations

High-sensitivity and real-time terahertz imaging beyond 1 THz with Rydberg atoms

Zhiwen Chen, Zhenyue She, Tianwu Wang +4 more

Terahertz imaging has become increasingly important across various fields and practical production applications. Achieving both high sensitivity and high speed remains a primary challenge for most current THz imaging technologies. In this work, we present an imaging system based on Rydberg atomic vapor operating at frequencies exceeding 1 THz. By utilizing Cesium 133 atoms coupled with THz waves, de-excitation radiation generated after atomic excitation to Rydberg states converts invisible THz waves into visible light, enabling the acquisition of spatial information and intensity distributions of THz fields. The system achieves a minimum detectable power of 330 fW /s 1/2 per (2.4×2.4) μm 2 , an imaging resolution of approximately 1.7 mm, and an imaging bandwidth of 8.6 MHz. Additionally, the theoretical imaging rate can exceed 1 MHz. The Rydberg-atom-based THz imaging system exhibits a simple structure and is amenable to miniaturization. This THz imaging method holds promise for advancing applications in THz nondestructive testing, biomedical imaging, and concealed object detection.

Photonics Research•Mar 10, 2026•3 citations

High Sensitive Quantum Coherent THz Electrometry With Four-Level Rydberg Atoms

Junnan Wang, Qihui He, Xiasi Sun +1 more

With the rapid advancement of terahertz (THz) technology, there is an urgent demand for highly sensitive, broadband THz detectors that can operate at room temperature to support the evolving applications. Due to the high sensitivity of Rydberg atoms to external electric fields, detectors based on Rydberg quantum coherence offer great potential for highperformance THz detection. This paper proposed a ambient temperature electrometry approach for THz detection using probe laser spectroscopy of Rb Rydberg atoms and carry out a comprehensive study of a four-level system involving electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and Autler-Townes (AT) splitting in Rb cascades. By solving the Lindblad master equation, the influences of the THz electric field, probe laser, and coupling laser on the populations of the ground and Rydberg states were analyzed. Furthermore, the effects of temperature and vapor cell dimensions on the Rb atomic density are examined, revealing their critical impact on detection sensitivity. The results predict that the proposed quantum coherence based THz detection method can achieve a sensitivity as low as 10$^{-9}$V/m/Hz$^{1/2}$at ambient temperature. This paper provides a solid theoretical foundation for the implementation and optimization of Rydbergatom- based quantum coherence techniques for high-sensitivity, ambient temperature THz wave detection.

IEEE photonics journal•Dec 1, 2025•1 citation

Digital terahertz communication with Rydberg-atom-based coherent photon conversion

Xiaoliang Zuo, Qingbin Li, Danyang Li +3 more

We experimentally demonstrate digital communications in the terahertz (THz) band using a rubidium vapor cell as a quantum receiver. We utilize amplitude modulation to encode digital information in THz photons, which are coherently upconverted to optical photons via a Rydberg six-wave-mixing process. We achieve a data transmission rate of up to 1.16 Mbit/s and a tunable bandwidth of up to 142 MHz near a 0.11 THz carrier. With reduced data rate and increased integration time per bit, we demonstrate weak-field THz transmission with a receiver sensitivity in the −130 dBm range. As a proof of principle, we perform an end-to-end transmission of digital color images in the THz band. Our work provides the possibility of THz communication at the single-photon level.

Applied Physics Letters•May 12, 2025•2 citations

Rydberg-Atom-Based Terahertz Reflection System for Full-Field Imaging of Surface Characteristics

X J Li, Yu Wu, Bin Zhang +9 more

Abstract Rydberg-atom–based Terahertz (THz) reflection imaging provides ultra-high sensitivity and, in principle, the potential for MHz-level imaging speed, overcoming the limitations of THz transmission imaging for strongly absorbing samples. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a Rydberg-atom THz reflection imaging system, converting reflected THz fields into visible fluorescence using a cesium vapor cell along the 14 P 3/2 → 13 D 5/2 → 6 P 3/2 pathway, and sequentially imaging the fluorescence with a sCMOS camera. The system achieves clear reflection images with a minimum resolvable line-pair period of approximately 1.26 mm, and a minimum detectable power of 2.41 fW·s -1/2 per (6.5×6.5) μ m 2 pixel. Representative applications include reflection imaging of metallic samples, discrimination of Polar Liquids, and non-contact visualization of superficial human vasculature and finger motion. This system offers a promising route toward high-frame-rate, room-temperature, full-field THz imaging for both industrial and scientific applications.

Chinese Physics B•Jul 17, 2026•0 citations

Utilizing quantum coherence in Cs Rydberg atoms for high-sensitivity room-temperature terahertz detection: a theoretical exploration

Lei Hou, Junnan Wang, Qihui He +4 more

In recent years, terahertz (THz) technology has made significant progress in numerous applications; however, the highly sensitive, room-temperature THz detectors are still rare, which is one of the bottlenecks in THz research. In this paper, we proposed a room-temperature electrometry method for THz detection by laser spectroscopy of cesium ( Cs 133) Rydberg atoms, and conducted a comprehensive investigation of the five-level system involving electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA), and Autler–Townes (AT) splitting in Cs 133 cascades. By solving the Lindblad master equation, we found that the influence of the THz electric field, probe laser, dressing laser, and Rydberg laser on the ground state atomic population as well as the coherence between the ground state and the Rydberg state, plays a crucial role in the transformation and amplitude of the EIT and EIA signals. Temperature and the atomic vapor cell’s dimensions affect the number of Cs 133 atoms involved in the detection, and ultimately determine the sensitivity. We predicted the proposed quantum coherence THz detection method has a remarkable sensitivity of as low as 10 −9 V m −1 Hz −1/2 . This research offers a valuable theoretical basis for implementing and optimizing quantum coherence effects based on Rydberg atoms for THz wave detection with high sensitivity and room-temperature operation.

Photonics Research•May 15, 2024•12 citations
Rydberg atom-based sensors have emerged as highly sensitive tools for terahertz (THz) metrology, yet most current imaging techniques discard crucial phase information. In this Letter, we present a coherent THz-to-optical conversion scheme in warm Rb vapor that enables complex-amplitude field imaging. By manipulating the phase-matching conditions via an adjustable interference pattern of optical probe beams, we demonstrate the ability to perform tomographic reconstruction of the THz field distribution. We experimentally validate the spatial resolution and phase-sensitivity of the system by resolving sub-centimeter features and identifying incident angles of arrival. Our results establish a robust framework for phase-resolved THz imaging and holography using atomic vapors at room temperature.
Realization of practical terahertz wireless communications still faces many challenges. The receiver with high sensitivity is important for THz wireless communications. Here we demonstrate a terahertz receiver based on the cesium Rydberg atoms in a room-temperature vapor cell. The minimum detectable THz electric field is calibrated. With this receiver, the phase-sensitive conversion of amplitude-modulated or frequency-modulated terahertz waves into optical signals is performed. The results show that the atomic receiver has many advantages due to its quantum properties. Particularly, the long distance THz wireless communications is achievable using this receiver. Furthermore, the atomic receiver can be used in the THz wireless-to-optical link.
Terahertz imaging has become increasingly important across various fields and practical production applications. Achieving both high sensitivity and high speed remains a primary challenge for most current THz imaging technologies. In this work, we present an imaging system based on Rydberg atomic vapor operating at frequencies exceeding 1 THz. By utilizing Cesium 133 atoms coupled with THz waves, de-excitation radiation generated after atomic excitation to Rydberg states converts invisible THz waves into visible light, enabling the acquisition of spatial information and intensity distributions of THz fields. The system achieves a minimum detectable power of 330 fW /s 1/2 per (2.4×2.4) μm 2 , an imaging resolution of approximately 1.7 mm, and an imaging bandwidth of 8.6 MHz. Additionally, the theoretical imaging rate can exceed 1 MHz. The Rydberg-atom-based THz imaging system exhibits a simple structure and is amenable to miniaturization. This THz imaging method holds promise for advancing applications in THz nondestructive testing, biomedical imaging, and concealed object detection.
With the rapid advancement of terahertz (THz) technology, there is an urgent demand for highly sensitive, broadband THz detectors that can operate at room temperature to support the evolving applications. Due to the high sensitivity of Rydberg atoms to external electric fields, detectors based on Rydberg quantum coherence offer great potential for highperformance THz detection. This paper proposed a ambient temperature electrometry approach for THz detection using probe laser spectroscopy of Rb Rydberg atoms and carry out a comprehensive study of a four-level system involving electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and Autler-Townes (AT) splitting in Rb cascades. By solving the Lindblad master equation, the influences of the THz electric field, probe laser, and coupling laser on the populations of the ground and Rydberg states were analyzed. Furthermore, the effects of temperature and vapor cell dimensions on the Rb atomic density are examined, revealing their critical impact on detection sensitivity. The results predict that the proposed quantum coherence based THz detection method can achieve a sensitivity as low as 10−9^{-9}−9V/m/Hz1/2^{1/2}1/2at ambient temperature. This paper provides a solid theoretical foundation for the implementation and optimization of Rydbergatom- based quantum coherence techniques for high-sensitivity, ambient temperature THz wave detection.
We experimentally demonstrate digital communications in the terahertz (THz) band using a rubidium vapor cell as a quantum receiver. We utilize amplitude modulation to encode digital information in THz photons, which are coherently upconverted to optical photons via a Rydberg six-wave-mixing process. We achieve a data transmission rate of up to 1.16 Mbit/s and a tunable bandwidth of up to 142 MHz near a 0.11 THz carrier. With reduced data rate and increased integration time per bit, we demonstrate weak-field THz transmission with a receiver sensitivity in the −130 dBm range. As a proof of principle, we perform an end-to-end transmission of digital color images in the THz band. Our work provides the possibility of THz communication at the single-photon level.
Abstract Rydberg-atom–based Terahertz (THz) reflection imaging provides ultra-high sensitivity and, in principle, the potential for MHz-level imaging speed, overcoming the limitations of THz transmission imaging for strongly absorbing samples. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a Rydberg-atom THz reflection imaging system, converting reflected THz fields into visible fluorescence using a cesium vapor cell along the 14 P 3/2 → 13 D 5/2 → 6 P 3/2 pathway, and sequentially imaging the fluorescence with a sCMOS camera. The system achieves clear reflection images with a minimum resolvable line-pair period of approximately 1.26 mm, and a minimum detectable power of 2.41 fW·s -1/2 per (6.5×6.5) μ m 2 pixel. Representative applications include reflection imaging of metallic samples, discrimination of Polar Liquids, and non-contact visualization of superficial human vasculature and finger motion. This system offers a promising route toward high-frame-rate, room-temperature, full-field THz imaging for both industrial and scientific applications.
In recent years, terahertz (THz) technology has made significant progress in numerous applications; however, the highly sensitive, room-temperature THz detectors are still rare, which is one of the bottlenecks in THz research. In this paper, we proposed a room-temperature electrometry method for THz detection by laser spectroscopy of cesium ( Cs 133) Rydberg atoms, and conducted a comprehensive investigation of the five-level system involving electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA), and Autler–Townes (AT) splitting in Cs 133 cascades. By solving the Lindblad master equation, we found that the influence of the THz electric field, probe laser, dressing laser, and Rydberg laser on the ground state atomic population as well as the coherence between the ground state and the Rydberg state, plays a crucial role in the transformation and amplitude of the EIT and EIA signals. Temperature and the atomic vapor cell’s dimensions affect the number of Cs 133 atoms involved in the detection, and ultimately determine the sensitivity. We predicted the proposed quantum coherence THz detection method has a remarkable sensitivity of as low as 10 −9 V m −1 Hz −1/2 . This research offers a valuable theoretical basis for implementing and optimizing quantum coherence effects based on Rydberg atoms for THz wave detection with high sensitivity and room-temperature operation.