A Rydberg atom based system for benchmarking mmWave automotive radar chips

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the use of Rydberg atom sensors to detect 131 GHz EHF fields from an automotive radar chip, showcasing potential for high-sensitivity RF measurements in automotive applications.

Contribution

It introduces a Rydberg-atom based detection system for 131 GHz signals, with control over field direction and polarization, applicable to automotive radar benchmarking.

Findings

Successful detection of 131 GHz EHF field from radar chip

Control over field propagation and polarization achieved

Potential for high-sensitivity automotive radar benchmarking

Abstract

Rydberg atomic sensors and receivers have enabled sensitive and traceable measurements of RF fields at a wide range of frequencies. Here we demonstrate the detection of electric field amplitude in the extremely high frequency (EHF) band, at $131\ \mathrm{GHz}$. In our approach we propagate the EHF field in a beam, with control over its direction and polarization at the detector using photonic waveplates. This way, we take advantage of the highest detection sensitivity, registered for collinear propagation and circular polarization. To exhibit the potential for applications in this kind of Rydberg-atom based detection, we perform test measurements on the EHF field emitted from an on-chip radar, planned to be used in automotive industry as a vital sign detector. Our work elucidates practical applications of Rydberg-atom media as well as photonic metamaterial elements.