We demonstrate microwave-to-optical conversion using six-wave mixing in cold $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms where the microwave field couples to two Rydberg states and propagates collinearly with the converted optical field. Our experiment is performed with a free-space microwave field, and we achieve a conversion efficiency of about $5%$ for the microwave photons entering the conversion medium. In addition, we theoretically investigate all-resonant six-wave mixing and outline a realistic experimental scheme for reaching an efficiency close to 70%.We demonstrate microwave-to-optical conversion using six-wave mixing in cold $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms where the microwave field couples to two Rydberg states and propagates collinearly with the converted optical field. Our experiment is performed with a free-space microwave field, and we achieve a conversion efficiency of about $5%$ for the microwave photons entering the conversion medium. In addition, we theoretically investigate all-resonant six-wave mixing and outline a realistic experimental scheme for reaching an efficiency close to 70%.

arXiv:1810.09722Physical Review AFeb 19, 201977 citations

Continuous wideband microwave-to-optical converter based on room-temperature Rydberg atoms

Sebastian Borówka, Uliana Pylypenko, Mateusz Mazelanik +1 more

Abstract The coupling of microwave and optical systems presents an immense challenge due to the natural incompatibility of energies, but potential applications range from optical interconnects for quantum computers to next-generation quantum microwave sensors, detectors and coherent imagers. Several of the engineered platforms that have emerged are constrained by specific conditions, such as cryogenic environments, impulse protocols or narrowband fields. Here we employ Rydberg atoms that allow the wideband coupling of optical and microwave photons at room temperature with the use of a modest set-up. We present continuous-wave conversion of a 13.9 GHz field to a near-infrared optical signal using an ensemble of Rydberg atoms via a free-space six-wave mixing process designed to minimize noise interference from any nearby frequencies. The Rydberg photonic converter exhibits a conversion dynamic range of 57 dB and a wide conversion bandwidth of 16 MHz. Using photon counting, we demonstrate the readout of photons of free-space 300 K thermal background radiation at 1.59 nV cm −1 rad −1/2 s −1/2 (3.98 nV cm −1 Hz −1/2 ) with a sensitivity down to 3.8 K of noise-equivalent temperature, allowing us to observe Hanbury Brown and Twiss interference of microwave photons.Abstract The coupling of microwave and optical systems presents an immense challenge due to the natural incompatibility of energies, but potential applications range from optical interconnects for quantum computers to next-generation quantum microwave sensors, detectors and coherent imagers. Several of the engineered platforms that have emerged are constrained by specific conditions, such as cryogenic environments, impulse protocols or narrowband fields. Here we employ Rydberg atoms that allow the wideband coupling of optical and microwave photons at room temperature with the use of a modest set-up. We present continuous-wave conversion of a 13.9 GHz field to a near-infrared optical signal using an ensemble of Rydberg atoms via a free-space six-wave mixing process designed to minimize noise interference from any nearby frequencies. The Rydberg photonic converter exhibits a conversion dynamic range of 57 dB and a wide conversion bandwidth of 16 MHz. Using photon counting, we demonstrate the readout of photons of free-space 300 K thermal background radiation at 1.59 nV cm −1 rad −1/2 s −1/2 (3.98 nV cm −1 Hz −1/2 ) with a sensitivity down to 3.8 K of noise-equivalent temperature, allowing us to observe Hanbury Brown and Twiss interference of microwave photons.

arXiv:2302.08380Nature PhotonicsOct 5, 2023110 citations

Rydberg atoms in microwave fields

Thomas F. Gallagher

Annual Meeting Optical Society of AmericaJan 1, 19930 citations

We demonstrate microwave-to-optical conversion using six-wave mixing in cold

^{87}\mathrm{Rb}

atoms where the microwave field couples to two Rydberg states and propagates collinearly with the converted optical field. Our experiment is performed with a free-space microwave field, and we achieve a conversion efficiency of about

5%

for the microwave photons entering the conversion medium. In addition, we theoretically investigate all-resonant six-wave mixing and outline a realistic experimental scheme for reaching an efficiency close to 70%.