Doppler sensitivity and optimization of Rydberg atom-based antennas

TL;DR

This paper theoretically investigates Rydberg atom-based antennas, identifying parameter regimes and laser configurations that could significantly enhance sensitivity beyond conventional antennas, especially at lower frequencies.

Contribution

It provides a detailed theoretical analysis of Rydberg antenna sensitivity and proposes laser setups to mitigate Doppler effects, enabling near-ideal sensitivity restoration.

Findings

Potential 2-3 orders of magnitude sensitivity increase

Three-laser setups effectively compensate Doppler spreading

Restores sensitivity to Doppler-limited values

Abstract

Radio frequency antennas based on Rydberg atoms can in principle reach sensitivities beyond those of any conventional wire antenna, especially at lower frequencies where very long wires are needed to accommodate the growing wavelength. This paper presents a detailed theoretical investigation of Rydberg antenna sensitivity, elucidating parameter regimes that could cumulatively lead to 2--3 orders of magnitude sensitivity increase. Of special interest are three-laser setups proposed to compensate for atom motion-induced Doppler spreading. Such setups are in indeed shown to be advantageous, but only because they restore sensitivity to the \emph{expected} Doppler-limited value, removing significant additional off-resonance reductions.