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

Coherent Microwave-to-Optical Conversion via Six-Wave Mixing in Rydberg Atoms

Jingshan Han, Thibault Vogt, Christian Groß +3 more

We present an experimental demonstration of converting a microwave field to an optical field via frequency mixing in a cloud of cold ^{87}Rb atoms, where the microwave field strongly couples to an electric dipole transition between Rydberg states. We show that the conversion allows the phase information of the microwave field to be coherently transferred to the optical field. With the current energy level scheme and experimental geometry, we achieve a photon-conversion efficiency of ∼0.3% at low microwave intensities and a broad conversion bandwidth of more than 4 MHz. Theoretical simulations agree well with the experimental data, and they indicate that near-unit efficiency is possible in future experiments.We present an experimental demonstration of converting a microwave field to an optical field via frequency mixing in a cloud of cold ^{87}Rb atoms, where the microwave field strongly couples to an electric dipole transition between Rydberg states. We show that the conversion allows the phase information of the microwave field to be coherently transferred to the optical field. With the current energy level scheme and experimental geometry, we achieve a photon-conversion efficiency of ∼0.3% at low microwave intensities and a broad conversion bandwidth of more than 4 MHz. Theoretical simulations agree well with the experimental data, and they indicate that near-unit efficiency is possible in future experiments.

arXiv:1701.07969Physical Review LettersMar 1, 2018130 citations

Microwave-induced three-photon coherence of Rydberg atomic states

Hyo Min Kwak, Taek Jeong, Yoon‐Seok Lee +1 more

Optics CommunicationsJun 10, 201615 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%.