Data provided by National Institute of Standards and Technology
Rydberg atoms, due to their large polarizabilities and strong transition dipole moments, have
emerged as powerful electric field sensors. While their capability to detect modulated signals has
been previously demonstrated, these studies have largely been limited to laboratory-generated signals tailored specifically for atomic detection. Here, we extend the practical applicability of Rydberg
sensors by demonstrating the reception of real-world frequency-modulated (FM) audio transmissions
using a consumer-grade handheld two-way radio operating in the UHF band. Detection is based
on the AC Stark shift induced by the radio signal in a Rydberg atomic vapor, with demodulation
performed using an offset local oscillator and lock-in amplification. We successfully demodulate
speech signals and evaluate the audio spectral response and reception range. We show that all
consumer-accessible radio channels can be simultaneously detected, and demonstrate simultaneous
reception of two neighboring channels with at least 53 dB of isolation. This work underscores the
potential of Rydberg atom-based receivers for practical, real-world FM signal detection.
About this Dataset
Updated: 2026-09-19
Metadata Last Updated:
2025-07-29 00:00:00
Date Created:
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Data Provided by:
Dataset Owner:
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| Title | Data associated with "Rydberg atom reception of a handheld UHF frequency-modulated two-way radio" |
|---|---|
| Description | Rydberg atoms, due to their large polarizabilities and strong transition dipole moments, have emerged as powerful electric field sensors. While their capability to detect modulated signals has been previously demonstrated, these studies have largely been limited to laboratory-generated signals tailored specifically for atomic detection. Here, we extend the practical applicability of Rydberg sensors by demonstrating the reception of real-world frequency-modulated (FM) audio transmissions using a consumer-grade handheld two-way radio operating in the UHF band. Detection is based on the AC Stark shift induced by the radio signal in a Rydberg atomic vapor, with demodulation performed using an offset local oscillator and lock-in amplification. We successfully demodulate speech signals and evaluate the audio spectral response and reception range. We show that all consumer-accessible radio channels can be simultaneously detected, and demonstrate simultaneous reception of two neighboring channels with at least 53 dB of isolation. This work underscores the potential of Rydberg atom-based receivers for practical, real-world FM signal detection. |
| Modified | 2025-07-29 00:00:00 |
| Publisher Name | National Institute of Standards and Technology |
| Contact | mailto:[email protected] |
| Keywords | Rydberg atoms , atomic physics , receivers , fields strength , electric field , volts/meter |
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"title": "Data associated with \"Rydberg atom reception of a handheld UHF frequency-modulated two-way radio\"",
"description": "Rydberg atoms, due to their large polarizabilities and strong transition dipole moments, have\nemerged as powerful electric field sensors. While their capability to detect modulated signals has\nbeen previously demonstrated, these studies have largely been limited to laboratory-generated signals tailored specifically for atomic detection. Here, we extend the practical applicability of Rydberg\nsensors by demonstrating the reception of real-world frequency-modulated (FM) audio transmissions\nusing a consumer-grade handheld two-way radio operating in the UHF band. Detection is based\non the AC Stark shift induced by the radio signal in a Rydberg atomic vapor, with demodulation\nperformed using an offset local oscillator and lock-in amplification. We successfully demodulate\nspeech signals and evaluate the audio spectral response and reception range. We show that all\nconsumer-accessible radio channels can be simultaneously detected, and demonstrate simultaneous\nreception of two neighboring channels with at least 53 dB of isolation. This work underscores the\npotential of Rydberg atom-based receivers for practical, real-world FM signal detection.",
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