Quantum radar miniaturization breakthrough, achieved through extraordinarily large atoms, results in a device no larger than a die.
A groundbreaking new quantum radar system, currently under development, promises to significantly reduce the size of conventional radar technology. The secret behind this miniaturization lies in the unique properties of Rydberg atoms, which are being used as atomic-scale sensors.
In a recent test, the new system was put to the test in an anechoic chamber. The outermost electrons of cesium atoms, used in the new approach, were excited, causing them to swell in size by 10,000 times, almost reaching the size of a bacterium. This inflation made the atoms extremely sensitive to radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields, effectively replacing conventional antennas.
The large physical size and sensitivity of these Rydberg atoms enable them to amplify interactions with RF fields, making them suitable for use as a radio receiver in a radar system. This quantum sensing of RF fields is achieved via a phenomenon called electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) spectroscopy, which allows for highly accurate detection of both amplitude and phase changes in incoming RF waves. This precision is crucial for radar applications such as target position and velocity identification.
The atoms can detect very subtle changes in frequency and pulse timing of radar signals, making them promising for pulsed radar receivers in compact quantum radars. This quantum method could potentially shrink the size of radar devices down to a few millimeters or centimeters, a significant reduction from the bulky conventional antennas we are accustomed to.
Matthew Simons, from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), discussed the new quantum radar system with the MIT Technology Review. The research on Rydberg atoms as compact quantum sensors is yet to undergo peer review, but the preprint is available on the arXiv.
The potential applications of this new technology are vast, extending beyond the traditional use of radar for finding aircraft. It could also be used to detect buried objects, with applications in archaeology, construction, and mining. In fact, the team behind the new quantum radar system believes it can be shrunk into something the size of a die.
The prototype of the new quantum radar system is still bulky, but the team is optimistic about its potential for miniaturization. In the test, the team was able to locate an object in the anechoic chamber with an uncertainty of 4.7 centimeters (1.8 inches). Rydberg atoms were even able to receive a color TV video signal and stream video games, including the game Doom, demonstrating their versatility and potential.
The increased interest in research on Rydberg atoms as compact quantum sensors suggests that we may soon see a new era of compact, high-precision radar systems.
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