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

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics

Coherent atomic microwave sensor

Vladislav P. Gerginov, F. C. S. da Silva, Craig W. Nelson, Archita Hati

Published Jan 1, 2019• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We developed a room-temperature atomic microwave sensor that converts coherently a low-power microwave signal to polarization modulation of a probe light field. The sensitivity rivals that of microwave field probes based on Rydberg atoms.
DOI
10.1364/cleo_at.2019.jw2a.113

Related papers

Coherent Atomic Microwave Sensor

Vladislav P. Gerginov, F. C. S. da Silva, Craig W. Nelson +1 more

We developed a room-temperature atomic microwave sensor that converts coherently a low-power microwave signal to polarization modulation of a probe light field. The sensitivity rivals that of microwave field probes based on Rydberg atoms.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•May 5, 2019•0 citations

Rydberg Atoms as Tunable All-Optical and Phase-Sensitive Sensors of Microwave Fields

Sebastian Borówka, Bartosz Kasza, Mateusz Mazelanik +2 more

The detection of microwave (MW) fields with room-temperature Rydberg atomic vapors is a novel technique of optical sensing, introducing a range of merits typically not possible to achieve with conventional antennas [1]. Firstly, the atomic response to MW fields is dependent on a given transition dipole moment between Rydberg energy levels - as this value can be precisely derived from the theory of alkali atoms, e.g. rubidium, Rydberg sensors are intrinsically calibrated and there is no dependency on particular device. Secondly, the detector does not contain any metal parts (apart from trace amount of rubidium), introducing very little distortion to the measured field, so the detection is stealthy, and the detector is practically invulnerable even to strong fields. Typically, however, the best state-of-the-art performance is achieved with an additional local oscillator MW field [2], emitted from the antenna, in which case the scheme is no longer all-optical and some advantages are lost.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)•Jun 23, 2025•0 citations

An Atomic Sensor for Direct Detection of Weak Microwave Signals

Vladislav P. Gerginov, Fabio C. S. da Silva, Archita Hati +1 more

This paper demonstrates direct detection of weak signals at microwave frequencies based on parametric frequency conversion. The atomic medium is optically pumped by a resonant light field and prepared in a coherent atomic superposition by a weak microwave field. The coherent atomic superposition causes a parametric modulation of the polarization of a probe light field at the microwave field frequency. An upper limit magnetic field component sensitivity of 1.2(1.0) pT/Hz1/2, corresponding to 3.7(3.1)-μV/cm/Hz1/2electric field component sensitivity, is achieved at ~6.835 GHz with a 33-mm3vapor cell.

IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques•Jul 7, 2019•21 citations

Amplitude-modulated RF field Rydberg atomic sensor based on homodyne technique

Kai Yang, Ruiqi Mao, Qiang An +3 more

Sensors and Actuators A Physical•Jan 11, 2023•19 citations

Sensitivity extension of atom-based amplitude-modulation microwave electrometry via high Rydberg states

Minghao Cai, Shuhang You, Shanshan Zhang +2 more

The Rydberg atom-based microwave electric field sensor has high sensitivity for weak RF-field detection. Selection of Rydberg states with larger electric dipole moment is beneficial to enhance the sensitivity, and we choose Rydberg states with its principal quantum number up to n ∼ 80. We study the probe laser transmission response to a microwave field for these chosen high Rydberg states at room temperature. It agrees well with theoretical simulation based on an optical Bloch equation with considered microwave-atom interaction and Doppler broadening effect. In our experiment, the microwave sensing sensitivity based on 85 Rb transition | 78 S 1 / 2 ⟩ → | 78 P 3 / 2 ⟩ arrives at 5.102(49) nV cm − 1 Hz − 1 / 2 at 1 kHz.

Applied Physics Letters•Apr 17, 2023•42 citations

An imaging radar using a Rydberg atom receiver

William J. Watterson, Nikunjkumar Prajapati, Rodrigo Castillo-Garza +5 more

Rydberg atoms in a gas form are highly sensitive electric field probes capable of detecting and measuring the amplitude, phase, and polarization of broadband time-varying signals. Here, we present the performance of a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar using a Rydberg atom-based subwavelength sensor as a receiver. This sensor down-converts the radar echoes, eliminates key FMCW electrical components, and performs two-dimensional target localization. To demonstrate its capabilities, we present an radio frequency image of a scene containing targets in an anechoic room with radar cross sections down to 0 dBsm at distances up to 5 m and with a range resolution of 4.7 cm.

arXiv:2506.20862•Applied Physics Letters•Oct 20, 2025•5 citations
The detection of microwave (MW) fields with room-temperature Rydberg atomic vapors is a novel technique of optical sensing, introducing a range of merits typically not possible to achieve with conventional antennas [1]. Firstly, the atomic response to MW fields is dependent on a given transition dipole moment between Rydberg energy levels - as this value can be precisely derived from the theory of alkali atoms, e.g. rubidium, Rydberg sensors are intrinsically calibrated and there is no dependency on particular device. Secondly, the detector does not contain any metal parts (apart from trace amount of rubidium), introducing very little distortion to the measured field, so the detection is stealthy, and the detector is practically invulnerable even to strong fields. Typically, however, the best state-of-the-art performance is achieved with an additional local oscillator MW field [2], emitted from the antenna, in which case the scheme is no longer all-optical and some advantages are lost.
This paper demonstrates direct detection of weak signals at microwave frequencies based on parametric frequency conversion. The atomic medium is optically pumped by a resonant light field and prepared in a coherent atomic superposition by a weak microwave field. The coherent atomic superposition causes a parametric modulation of the polarization of a probe light field at the microwave field frequency. An upper limit magnetic field component sensitivity of 1.2(1.0) pT/Hz1/2, corresponding to 3.7(3.1)-μV/cm/Hz1/2electric field component sensitivity, is achieved at ~6.835 GHz with a 33-mm3vapor cell.
The Rydberg atom-based microwave electric field sensor has high sensitivity for weak RF-field detection. Selection of Rydberg states with larger electric dipole moment is beneficial to enhance the sensitivity, and we choose Rydberg states with its principal quantum number up to n ∼ 80. We study the probe laser transmission response to a microwave field for these chosen high Rydberg states at room temperature. It agrees well with theoretical simulation based on an optical Bloch equation with considered microwave-atom interaction and Doppler broadening effect. In our experiment, the microwave sensing sensitivity based on 85 Rb transition | 78 S 1 / 2 ⟩ → | 78 P 3 / 2 ⟩ arrives at 5.102(49) nV cm − 1 Hz − 1 / 2 at 1 kHz.
Rydberg atoms in a gas form are highly sensitive electric field probes capable of detecting and measuring the amplitude, phase, and polarization of broadband time-varying signals. Here, we present the performance of a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar using a Rydberg atom-based subwavelength sensor as a receiver. This sensor down-converts the radar echoes, eliminates key FMCW electrical components, and performs two-dimensional target localization. To demonstrate its capabilities, we present an radio frequency image of a scene containing targets in an anechoic room with radar cross sections down to 0 dBsm at distances up to 5 m and with a range resolution of 4.7 cm.