LED-pumped room-temperature solid-state maser

TL;DR

Researchers created a low-cost, room-temperature maser using LED light to generate microwave signals, which could improve quantum tech and space communication.

Contribution

A novel LED-pumped solid-state maser is demonstrated at room temperature, enabling low-cost and safe microwave amplification.

Findings

LED-pumped maser emits microwaves at 1.45 GHz with 200 µs duration and 0.014 mW output power.

The system uses a luminescent concentrator to enhance LED brightness for efficient maser operation.

The device operates safely at low voltage and outperforms non-laser pumped masers.

Abstract

Room-temperature MASERs (Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) amplify electromagnetic waves at microwave frequencies with minimal noise. We demonstrate a cost-effective LED-pumped maser using pentacene-doped para-terphenyl as the gain medium. Here, we show that LED light, which is brightness-enhanced and guided via a cerium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet luminescent concentrator, achieves persistent maser emission at 1.45 GHz with a duration of 200 µs and a microwave output power of 0.014 mW, surpassing previous non-laser pumped systems. Operating at low voltage, the LED-pumped maser ensures safety, reduced costs, and simple integration. Potential applications include sensitive magnetic resonance imaging, portable atomic clocks, quantum technologies, and enhanced deep-space radio astronomy.

Juna Sathian and colleagues demonstrate a room-temperature LED-pumped solid-state maser achieving persistent microwave emission. This advance opens opportunities for low-cost quantum technologies, deep-space communication, and sensing applications.

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