Rydberg atoms have been extensively utilized in microwave measurement with high sensitivity, which has great potential in the field of communication. In this study, we discuss the digital communication based on a Rydberg atomic receiver under simultaneously coupling by resonant and near detuning microwaves. In addition, we verify the feasibility of the Rydberg atom-based frequency division multiplexing (FDM) in microwave communication. We demonstrate the principle and performance of the atom-based FDM receiver by applying amplitude modulation (AM) and frequency modulation (FM), respectively. To demonstrate the actual communication performance at different data transfer rates, we consider monochromatic images as an example. The experimental results show that the maximum acceptable data transfer rate of both AM and FM is about 200 kbps, whereas their maximum bit error rates (BER) is less than 5%. When compared with the traditional electronic receiver, this atomic receiver, which is compatible with FDM, has numerous advantages, such as small size, low power consumption, and high sensitivity. Furthermore, this receiver has a strong ability of anti-electromagnetic interference, and the signals transmitted do not interfere with each other in different channels.
16 January 2017 in IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters
A novel antenna gain measurement method based on quantum interaction of highly excited alkali Rydberg atoms and radiated radio frequency electric field from an antenna under test is proposed in this letter. The method allows gain value to be determined by measuring RF field induced splitting frequency of an electromagnetically induced transparency window, antenna feeding power, and finite measurement range. The antenna gain measurement for a K -band standard gain horn antenna is presented to demonstrate the measurement setup and process, and the results are consistent with conventional measurements. The method is promising due to its advantages of simplicity, accuracy, and low cost. This work is of major significance for developing atom-based RF field and antenna characterization.
The bandwidth and sensitivity of traditional terahertz detection devices are limited by material properties and working temperature. Here, we proposed a four-level Rydberg atom detection method, which can realize real-time detection for the absolute strength of the terahertz electric field under room temperature with the detection bandwidth of 0-5 THz. By theoretical analysis and formula derivation, the relation among the terahertz electric field strength, excitation energy level, coupling photoelectric field strength, gas cell temperature and electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) signal are studied in detailed. The NEP of this method is proven to be 10 −17 W/Hz 1/2 in the range of 0-1 THz, which is three orders of magnitude smaller than that of the traditional optimal thermal detection system. This research has important reference value for the later high-sensitivity detection and application development of terahertz waves
We present a simple analytical formula from an existing theoretical model and theoretically investigate in detail the state dependence of interaction-induced collisional loss rate coefficients, and the various parameter effects on collisional loss rate. We also investigate the different mechanisms and corresponding effects on collisional loss by analyzing our previous experimental results using the present formula, and even investigate the time evolution of Rydberg atom number for different Rydberg states.