An Imaging Radar Using a Rydberg Atom Receiver

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a novel FMCW radar system utilizing Rydberg atom sensors for high-sensitivity electric field detection, enabling target localization and RF imaging with improved resolution and simplified electronics.

Contribution

It introduces a Rydberg atom-based receiver for FMCW radar, providing a new approach to target detection and imaging with enhanced sensitivity and reduced component complexity.

Findings

Achieved RF imaging of targets up to 5 meters away.

Demonstrated range resolution of 4.7 cm.

Detected targets with radar cross sections down to 0 dBsm.

Abstract

Rydberg atoms in a gas form are highly sensitive electric field probes capable of detecting and measuring the amplitude, phase, and polarization of broadband time-varying signals. Here, we present the performance of a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar using a Rydberg atom-based subwavelength sensor as a receiver. This sensor down converts the radar echoes, eliminates key FMCW electrical components, and performs two-dimensional target localization. To demonstrate its capabilities, we present an RF image of a scene containing targets in an anechoic room with radar cross sections down to 0 dBsm at a distance up to 5 m and with a range resolution of 4.7 cm.