Quantum sensor covers entire radio frequency spectrum
Peter Brown | March 20, 2020
Scientists from the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) have developed a quantum sensor to detect communication signals on the entire radio frequency spectrum.
The sensor, which would cover the spectrum from 0 to 100 GHz, would require multiple systems of individual antennas, amplifiers and other components.
ARL created a quantum receiver that uses Rydberg atoms to detect communication signals in 2018 and calculated the receiver’s channel capacity.
"These new sensors can be very small and virtually undetectable, giving soldiers a disruptive advantage," said David Meyer, a scientist at the ARL. "Rydberg-atom based sensors have only recently been considered for general electric field sensing applications, including as a communications receiver. While Rydberg atoms are known to be broadly sensitive, a quantitative description of the sensitivity over the entire operational range has never been done."
ARL conducted an analysis of the Rydberg sensor’s sensitivity to oscillating electric fields over an enormous range of frequencies — from 0 to 1012 Hz. The researchers found that the Rydberg sensor can detect signals over the entire spectrum and compare favorably to other electric field sensor technologies such as electro-optic crystals and dipole antenna-coupled passive electronics.
"Quantum mechanics allows us to know the sensor calibration and ultimate performance to a very high degree, and it's identical for every sensor," Meyer said. "This result is an important step in determining how this system could be used in the field."
The quantum sensor would support the Army’s modernization priorities in next-generation computer networks as well as navigation and timing. The sensor could also potentially influence communication concepts or approaches to the detection of RF signals for geolocation.
The next steps include investigating methods to improve sensitivity and to detect even weaker signals as well as expand detection protocols for complicated waveforms.
0 to 1012 Hz, 1012 Hz is = 1.012 KHz. If it is capable of GHz signals, I’m pretty sure it would be 101.2 GHz.