Waveguide-Coupled Rydberg Spectrum Analyzer from 0 to 20 GHz

We demonstrate an atomic rf receiver and spectrum analyzer based on thermal Rydberg atoms coupled to a planar microwave waveguide. We use an off-resonant rf heterodyne technique to achieve continuous operation for carrier frequencies ranging from dc to 20 GHz. The system achieves an intrinsic sensitivity of up to -120(2) dBm/Hz, dc coupling, 4-MHz instantaneous bandwidth, and over 80 dB of linear dynamic range. By connecting through a low-noise preamplifier, we demonstrate high-performance spectrum analysis with peak sensitivity of better than -145 dBm/Hz. Attaching a standard rabbit-ears antenna, the spectrum analyzer detects weak ambient signals including FM radio, AM radio, WiFi, and bluetooth. We also demonstrate waveguide-readout of the thermal Rydberg ensemble by nondestructively probing waveguide-atom interactions. The system opens the door for small, room-temperature, ensemble-based Rydberg sensors that surpass the sensitivity, bandwidth, and precision limitations of standard rf sensors, receivers, and analyzers.

Automated summary

An atomic rf receiver and spectrum analyzer based on thermal Rydberg atoms coupled to a planar microwave waveguide has been demonstrated. The system offers high sensitivity, wide bandwidth, linear dynamic range, and high-performance spectrum analysis.