Rydberg Atomic Quantum Receivers for Classical Wireless Communication and Sensing
Tierui Gong, Aveek Chandra, Chau Yuen, Yong Liang Guan, Rainer Dumke, Chong Meng Samson See, Mérouane Debbah, Lajos Hanzo
TL;DR
RAQRs address the challenge of building broadband, ultra-sensitive RF receivers by leveraging Rydberg atoms, whose large dipole moments enable RF-to-optical transduction via Rydberg-EIT/ATS with direct DC-to-THz tunability. The paper provides a comprehensive survey of fundamental atomic physics, receiver principles, impairments, and state-of-the-art results from both physics and communications communities, and proposes RAQ-SISO and RAQ-MIMO architectures to integrate RAQRs with classical wireless systems. It highlights key advantages such as SI-traceability, compact form-factor, and broad bandwidth, while detailing practical impairments (laser/PD noise, decoherence, SQL) and methods to mitigate them (OLA, ARR T, CRS/DRFS/MAS schemes). The work also maps out open problems and future directions in theoretical modelling, signal processing, and system-level validation to move RAQRs toward commercialization and real-world deployment.
Abstract
The Rydberg atomic quantum receivers (RAQR) are emerging quantum precision sensing platforms designed for receiving radio frequency (RF) signals. It relies on creation of Rydberg atoms from normal atoms by exciting one or more electrons to a very high energy level, thereby making the atom sensitive to RF signals. RAQRs realize RF-to-optical conversions based on light-atom interactions relying on the so called electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and Aulter-Townes splitting (ATS), so that the desired RF signal can be read out optically. The large dipole moments of Rydberg atoms associated with rich choices of Rydberg states and various modulation schemes facilitate an ultra-high sensitivity ($\sim$ nV/cm/$\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$) and an ultra-broadband tunability (direct-current to Terahertz). RAQRs also exhibit compelling scalability and lend themselves to the construction of innovative, compact receivers. Initial experimental studies have demonstrated their capabilities in classical wireless communications and sensing. To fully harness their potential in a wide variety of applications, we commence by outlining the underlying fundamentals of Rydberg atoms, followed by the principles and schemes of RAQRs. Then, we overview the state-of-the-art studies from both physics and communication societies. Furthermore, we conceive Rydberg atomic quantum single-input single-output (RAQ-SISO) and multiple-input multiple-output (RAQ-MIMO) schemes for facilitating the integration of RAQRs with classical wireless systems. Finally, we conclude with a set of potent research directions.