ERI: A Portable Wideband Rydberg Atom-Based Quantum Antenna for HF/VHF Communications

This project aims to make wireless communications much more efficient and accessible by creating a new kind of antenna. Instead of using traditional metal antennas which are large, heavy, and limited in how small they can be, the project team will use a special quantum technology based on atoms called Rydberg atoms. These quantum antennas can be made much smaller (e.g., about 7 cm compared to 25 meters for conventional outdoor antennas operating in the 3 MHz to 30 MHz band) and are more sensitive, meaning they can pick up weaker signals and work across a wider range of frequencies. This innovative approach has significant potential societal and national benefits by improving critical wireless communication links for emergency response, search-and-rescue operations, and navigation, especially in places where reliable connections are needed but hard to achieve. The project also supports national priorities in quantum technology and will help train students from diverse backgrounds in cutting-edge science. Outreach activities of the project include creating educational materials for young learners, showcasing research results in outreach events, and exploring collaboration with industry to ensure the benefits reach beyond the university to the wider community and industry. The research will use Rydberg atoms (atoms with electrons in very high energy levels) to sense radio signals in the high frequency (HF, 3 MHz to 30 MHz) and very high frequency (VHF, 30 MHz to 300 MHz) bands. The research is organized into two main tasks: (1) investigating the quantum theory of Rydberg atoms, including energy level transitions, electromagnetically induced transparency, and Autler-Townes splitting, and (2) designing and experimentally validating a portable wideband quantum sensor for HF/VHF signal reception. The approach involves theoretical modeling, numerical simulations, and experimental assembly of optical components and vapor cells, with the goal of achieving an instantaneous bandwidth wider than 30 kHz at 3 MHz and efficient signal reception across the 3 MHz to 300 MHz range. The project will utilize advanced laboratory facilities, including an anechoic chamber and software-defined radios, and collaborate with experts at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Risks, such as achieving precise resonance and scalability, will be mitigated through fine-tuning and field tests. By advancing quantum-enabled communication and sensing technologies, the project will push the boundaries of quantum metrology, support national defense and telecommunications, and establish a foundation for future research and innovation in quantum antennas. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. NSF Award ID: 2552884 | Program: 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT | Principal Investigator: Kai Ren | Institution: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, RAPID CITY, SD | Award Amount: $200,000 View on NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=2552884 View on Research.gov: https://www.research.gov/awardapi-service/v1/awards/2552884.html