Harnessing Rydberg Atomic Receivers: From Quantum Physics to Wireless Communications

The relentless demand for higher data rates and ubiquitous connectivity in wireless communications necessitates disruptive technologies that transcend the limitations of classical radio frequency (RF) systems. Quantum physics, with its inherent sensitivity and precision, offers a promising avenue. This paper proposes the intrinsic integration of Rydberg atomic receivers into wireless communication systems, leveraging quantum principles to enhance signal detection. Rydberg atoms, characterized by their highly excited states, exhibit extreme sensitivity to electromagnetic fields, making them ideal candidates for next-generation receivers. The authors conceive a pair of Rydberg atomic receiver configurations: one incorporating a local oscillator (LO), termed the LO-dressed receiver, and another operating without an LO, termed the LO-free receiver. The study aims to develop appropriate wireless models for each configuration, analyze their performance in terms of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and investigate distortion effects to delineate practical boundaries. By bridging quantum physics and wireless communications, this work paves the way for ultra-sensitive receivers capable of operating in regimes inaccessible to classical technologies.

The authors develop wireless models for both LO-dressed and LO-free Rydberg atomic receivers, ensuring compatibility with established signal processing methodologies. For the LO-dressed receiver, the local oscillator is used to dress the Rydberg atoms, creating a resonant interaction with the incoming RF signal. The model elaborates on the receiver's response to the RF signal, potential noise sources, and SNR performance. The LO-free receiver operates without an LO, relying solely on the RF signal for atomic excitation. The wireless models conform to the classical RF framework, facilitating integration with existing systems. The authors also investigate distortion effects, identifying conditions under which distortion arises and demonstrating the boundaries of linear dynamic ranges. This analysis provides critical insights into practical implementations. Extensive simulations are conducted to characterize the performance of wireless systems employing these receivers. The methodology includes deriving analytical expressions for SNR and distortion, and validating them through simulations. Key parameters such as atomic transition frequencies, laser intensities, and RF signal strengths are considered to assess receiver performance under various conditions.