Case study: A state-of-the-art breakthrough in quantum receivers
Leveraging Rydberg atoms to open a new avenue for secure communications, SRI’s work on the DARPA Quantum Apertures program
demonstrated quantum effects with great potential for national security.
“We found a novel and intriguing application for Rydberg quantum receivers that’s extraordinarily promising if we can keep maturing Rydberg atoms. The unique properties of Rydberg atoms can make a signal very difficult, if not impossible, for someone else to intercept or disrupt.”
Sunil Goda, Research Physicist,
SRI’s Applied Physics Laboratory
CHALLENGE
DARPA’s Quantum Apertures program sought to develop a fundamentally new way of receiving radio-frequency (RF) waveforms and co-developing waveforms that exploit the unique properties of Rydberg quantum receivers. This research has important national security implications in areas like radar and communications applied to intelligence, defense, and space operations.
SOLUTION
To address today’s antenna limitations, SRI set out to advance the current state-of-the-art in quantum RF sensors by improving the sensitivity, bandwidth, and frequency agility of Rydberg atoms, which can essentially function as “quantum antennas.” An SRI team of communications experts, physicists, and engineers surveyed research literature to better understand how Rydberg atoms respond to RF and developed unique waveforms matched to Rydberg physics that would be extremely difficult to intercept, detect, or jam. SRI modelled specific concepts of operation (CONOPS), ran simulations of associated risks (like jamming), and worked with the government to experimentally demonstrate the efficacy of the novel waveforms.
IMPACT
The experimental work demonstrated that the simulated Rydberg response to the SRI-developed waveform was indeed as modelled. Based on these results, researchers can continue to mature Rydberg atom-based communications and engineer low-SWaP (size, weight, and power) components to turn these experimental results into practical, fieldable communications devices.
The views, opinions, and/or findings expressed are those of the author(s) and should not be interpreted as representing the official views or policies of DARPA or the U.S. Government.