Over the past decade, the Rydberg atom-based RF/microwave sensing technology has emerged as a promising sensing solution for a radar/radio receiver. In the Rydberg-atom-based sensing, highly excited (Rydberg) atoms are utilized as antennas, which allows sensitive and SI-traceable detection of RF/microwave fields over a wide frequency range (1 MHz to ~100 GHz) with a single probe. However, one of the major hurdles to wide applications and field deployment of the quantum radar/radio technology is its size, weight, and power (SWaP), mostly from its system overhead (e.g., laser subsystem). In particular, the coupling laser driving the upper atomic transition in a two-photon excitation scheme of Rydberg atoms is not well-suited for field applications due to its SWaP and vulnerability to environmental perturbations. Furthermore, coupling lasers do not have a compact frequency reference for laser stabilization. To address the need, Opto-Atomics Corp. (OAC) proposes to develop a Rydberg Sensor Laser (RySL), which will provide a high-power (> 0.5 W), tunable (range > 3 nm) coupling-laser output. One of the main advantages of RySL is that its output is stabilized to a built-in frequency standard, thereby allowing reliable electrometry operation with long-term stability. In addition, RySL design significantly reduces free-space optical components, making the system more compact, reliable, and less sensitive to misalignment and environmental disturbances. In Phase I, OAC will design and assemble key system components of RySL, evaluate their performance, and perform feasibility demonstrations. We will also conduct a preliminary design of the fully-packaged RySL system for future development. Anticipated
Benefits: In the remote sensing of Earths surface topography and vegetation, RF/microwave sensing over a wide radio spectral range with high sensitivity may allow enhanced characterization of the surface conditions. Other than the target NASA application in microwave sensing, Rydberg sensors can be adopted in other NASA applications such as RF-field metrology (characterization and calibration), RF communication, nondestructive inspection, characterization of blackbody radiation, and others. RF/microwave fields are heavily utilized in many commercial and military applications. For example, a scanned array radar made of Rydberg sensors can provide a performance breakthrough in radar technologies, which will be extremely useful in many military applications. Rydberg atom-based RF/microwave sensors can also be highly useful in industrial applications using RF/microwave.
