Microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms

Abstract

The utility model discloses a microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms, which relates to the technical field of microwave detection equipment and comprises a coupling light generation assembly, a detection light generation assembly, an atomic gas chamber, a first dichroscope, a reflection component and a detection assembly. The atom gas chamber is filled with alkali metal atoms; the coupling light generation assembly is used for emitting coupling light and enabling the coupling light to penetrate through the atomic gas chamber along a first light path and to irradiate the reflection part; the detection light generation assembly is used for emitting detection light and enabling the detection light to penetrate through the atomic gas chamber along a second light path and irradiate the reflection part; the reflection component is used for reflecting the coupling light on the first light path to the second light path, and is also used for reflecting the detection light on the second light path to the first light path; the first dichroscope is used for transmitting the coupling light and reflecting the detection light to the detection assembly; the detection assembly is used for receiving an optical signal of the detection light reflected by the first dichroscope and obtaining a microwave signal to be detected. The accuracy and sensitivity of a measurement result can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of microwave detection equipment, in particular to a microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms. Background Art

[0002] Quantum microwave measurement technology based on Rydberg atoms is a new type of microwave sensing technology. Compared with traditional microwave receiving methods, this technology has the advantages of high precision, self-calibration, ultra-wideband, and small probe size. Quantum sensing technology based on Rydberg atoms has broad application prospects in the fields of communication, radar, and metrology. Its core principle is to use the radiation of detection light and coupling light to achieve two-photon excitation of alkali metal atoms, and excite alkali metal atoms to Rydberg state. Rydberg state atoms are highly sensitive to microwaves. At present, microwave receiving devices usually prepare Rydberg atoms by radiation of detection light and coupling light in an atomic gas chamber. However, usually only one radiation of detection light and coupling light is performed in the atomic gas chamber. The number of Rydberg atoms may be small, resulting in a low signal-to-noise ratio, which affects the accuracy and sensitivity of the measurement results. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art and improve the accuracy and sensitivity of the measurement results.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose, the utility model provides the following solutions:

[0005] The utility model provides a microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms, comprising a coupling light generating component, a detection light generating component, an atomic gas chamber, a first dichroic mirror, a reflecting component and a detecting component; the atomic gas chamber is filled with alkali metal atoms, the coupling light generating component and the detection light generating component are placed on the same side of the atomic gas chamber, and the reflecting component is arranged on the other side of the atomic gas chamber; the coupling light generating component is used to emit coupling light and make the coupling light pass through the atomic gas chamber along a first optical path and irradiate onto the reflecting component; the detection light generating component is used to emit detection light and make the detection light pass through the atomic gas chamber along a second optical path The first optical path is provided with a first dichroic mirror and a second optical path is provided with a first optical path. The first optical path is provided with a first dichroic mirror and a second optical path is provided with a second ...

[0006] Preferably, it also includes a second dichroic mirror, which is arranged on the second optical path and placed between the detection light generating component and the atomic gas chamber, and the second dichroic mirror is used to allow the detection light to pass through and reflect the coupled light out of the second optical path.

[0007] Preferably, it further comprises a laser collecting component, which is arranged on one side of the second dichroic mirror, and the second dichroic mirror is used for reflecting the coupled light to the laser collecting component.

[0008] Preferably, the coupling light generating assembly comprises a first generator, a first half-wave plate and a first polarization beam splitter prism, wherein the first generator is used to emit the coupling light and make the coupling light pass through the first half-wave plate and the first polarization beam splitter prism in sequence along the first optical path.

[0009] Preferably, the detection component includes a first photodiode and a data processing module, the first photodiode is arranged on one side of the first dichroic mirror, and the data processing module is communicatively connected to the first photodiode; the first photodiode is used to receive the optical signal of the detection light reflected by the first dichroic mirror and convert it into an electrical signal, and the data processing module receives the electrical signal and obtains the microwave signal to be measured.

[0010] Preferably, the detection light generating assembly comprises a second generator, a second half-wave plate and a second polarization beam splitter prism, and the second generator is used to emit the detection light and make the detection light pass through the second half-wave plate and the second polarization beam splitter prism in sequence along the second optical path.

[0011] Preferably, it also includes a negative feedback component, and the detection light generating component also includes a beam splitter prism arranged on the second optical path, and the beam splitter prism is located between the second polarization splitter prism and the atomic gas chamber; the negative feedback component is arranged on one side of the beam splitter prism and is communicatively connected with the generator; the beam splitter prism can reflect part of the detection light to the negative feedback component, and the negative feedback component is used to receive the optical signal of the detection light reflected by the beam splitter prism and lock the power of the generator.

[0012] Preferably, the negative feedback component includes a second photodiode and a negative feedback module, the second photodiode is arranged on one side of the beam splitter prism, and the negative feedback module is communicatively connected to the second photodiode and the second generator; the second photodiode is used to receive the optical signal of the detection light reflected by the beam splitter prism and convert it into an electrical signal, and the negative feedback module receives the electrical signal and locks the power of the second generator.

[0013] Preferably, it also includes a shell, which is made of organic glass, and the atomic gas chamber, the reflecting component, the first dichroic mirror, the second dichroic mirror, the first half-wave plate, the first polarization beam splitter prism, the first photodiode, the second half-wave plate, the second polarization beam splitter prism, the beam splitter prism and the second photodiode are all fixedly arranged in the shell; the shell is provided with two signal output ports respectively connected to the first photodiode and the second photodiode, and the shell is provided with two optical fiber input ports respectively connected to the first generator and the second generator.

[0014] Preferably, the reflective component is configured as a triangular reflective prism, and the first light path and the second light path are configured in parallel.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the utility model has achieved the following technical effects:

[0016] The microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms provided by the utility model emits coupling light and detection light respectively through a coupling light generating component and a detection light generating component, and passes through the atomic gas chamber along a first optical path and a second optical path respectively and irradiates the reflecting component, the reflecting component can reflect the coupling light on the first optical path to the second optical path, and can reflect the detection light on the second optical path to the first optical path, so that the detection light and the coupling light can be irradiated twice in the atomic gas chamber, more Rydberg atoms can be prepared, the signal-to-noise ratio is improved, and the measurement result is more accurate and sensitive; in addition, after the detection light comes out of the atomic gas chamber along the first optical path, it can be reflected to the detection component under the action of the first dichroic mirror, and the detection component obtains the microwave field signal to be measured according to the reflected detection light signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the utility model. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms provided in Example 1.

[0019] In the figure: 10-coupling light generating component; 11-first generator; 12-first half-wave plate; 13-first polarization beam splitter prism; 20-detection light generating component; 21-second generator; 22-second half-wave plate; 23-second polarization beam splitter prism; 24-beam splitter prism; 30-atomic gas chamber; 40-first dichroic mirror; 50-reflection component; 60-detection component; 61-first photodiode; 62-data processing module; 70-first optical path; 80-second optical path; 90-second dichroic mirror; 100-laser collecting component; 110-negative feedback component; 111-second photodiode; 112-negative feedback module; 120-housing; 121-signal output port; 122-optical fiber input port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the utility model to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the utility model, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0021] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art and improve the accuracy and sensitivity of the measurement results.

[0022] In order to make the above-mentioned purposes, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0023] Embodiment 1

[0024] This embodiment provides a microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms. Figure 1, including a coupling light generating component 10, a detection light generating component 20, an atomic gas chamber 30, a first dichroic mirror 40, a reflecting component 50 and a detecting component 60; the atomic gas chamber 30 is filled with alkali metal atoms, the coupling light generating component 10 and the detection light generating component 20 are placed on the same side of the atomic gas chamber 30, and the reflecting component 50 is arranged on the other side of the atomic gas chamber 30; the coupling light generating component 10 is used to emit coupling light and make the coupling light pass through the atomic gas chamber 30 along a first optical path 70 and irradiate onto the reflecting component 50; the detection light generating component 20 is used to emit detection light and make the detection light pass through the atomic gas chamber 3 along a second optical path 80 0 and irradiates onto the reflecting component 50; the reflecting component 50 is used to reflect the coupling light on the first optical path 70 to the second optical path 80, and the reflecting component 50 is also used to reflect the detection light on the second optical path 80 to the first optical path 70; the first dichroic mirror 40 is arranged on the first optical path 70 and is located between the coupling light generating component 10 and the atomic gas chamber 30, the detection component 60 is located on one side of the first dichroic mirror 40, the first dichroic mirror 40 is used to allow the coupling light to pass through and reflect the detection light to the detection component 60; the detection component 60 is used to receive the optical signal of the detection light reflected by the first dichroic mirror 40 and obtain the microwave signal to be measured.

[0025] The coupling light and the detection light are emitted by the coupling light generating component 10 and the detection light generating component 20 respectively, and pass through the atomic gas chamber along the first optical path 70 and the second optical path 80 respectively and irradiate the reflecting component 50. The reflecting component 50 can reflect the coupling light on the first optical path 70 to the second optical path 80, and can reflect the detection light on the second optical path 80 to the first optical path 70. In this way, the detection light and the coupling light can be irradiated twice in the atomic gas chamber 30, and more Rydberg atoms can be prepared, the signal-to-noise ratio is improved, and the measurement results are more accurate and sensitive; in addition, after the detection light comes out of the atomic gas chamber 30 along the first optical path 70, it can be reflected to the detection component 60 under the action of the first dichroic mirror 40, and the detection component 60 obtains the microwave field signal to be measured according to the reflected detection light signal; specifically, the alkali metal atoms in the atomic gas chamber 30 can be set to cesium atoms.

[0026] Among the optional schemes of this embodiment, it is more preferred that the microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms provided in this embodiment also includes a second dichroic mirror 90, which is arranged on the second optical path 80 and placed between the detection light generating component 20 and the atomic gas chamber 30, and the second dichroic mirror 90 is used to allow the detection light to pass through and reflect the coupled light out of the second optical path 80; by setting the second dichroic mirror 90, the coupled light coming out of the atomic gas chamber 30 on the second optical path 80 is reflected out of the second optical path 80 without affecting the transmission of the detection light, thereby reducing interference with the detection light.

[0027] Among the optional schemes of this embodiment, it is more preferred that the microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms provided in this embodiment also includes a laser collecting component 100, which is arranged on one side of the second dichroic mirror 90, and the second dichroic mirror 90 is used to reflect the coupled light to the laser collecting component 100, and the coupled light reflected on the second optical path 80 is collected by the laser collecting component 100 to reduce the interference of the coupled light on the environment; specifically, the laser collecting component 100 is configured as a laser collecting tube made of aluminum alloy, and the coupled light enters the laser collecting tube from the opening, and the inner wall is configured as a thread or a rough surface to prevent multiple reflections, thereby preventing spatial stray light to a certain extent; in addition, a heat dissipation mechanism, such as a heat sink, may be further provided at the bottom of the laser collecting tube for heat dissipation.

[0028] In the optional scheme of this embodiment, it is more preferred that the coupling light generating component 10 includes a first generator 11, a first half-wave plate 12 and a first polarization beam splitter prism 13, the first generator 11 is used to emit coupling light, and make the coupling light pass through the first half-wave plate 12 and the first polarization beam splitter prism 13 in sequence along the first optical path 70; wherein the first half-wave plate 12 is used to rotate and select the polarization of the coupling light, and the first polarization beam splitter prism 13 is used to divide the incident coupling light into light of a horizontal polarization component (transmission) and light of a vertical polarization component (reflection), so that the polarization direction of the detection light and the coupling light in the atomic gas chamber 30 is the same as the polarization direction of the field to be measured.

[0029] In the optional scheme of this embodiment, it is more preferred that the detection component 60 includes a first photodiode 61 and a data processing module 62, the first photodiode 61 is arranged on one side of the first dichroic mirror 40, and the data processing module 62 is communicatively connected with the first photodiode 61; the first photodiode 61 is used to receive the optical signal of the detection light reflected by the first dichroic mirror 40 and convert it into an electrical signal, the data processing module 62 receives the electrical signal and obtains the microwave signal to be measured; after the detection light passes through the atomic gas chamber 30, the microwave signal to be measured is converted into the target detection light signal of the detection light, and the target detection light signal is emitted into the first photodiode 61 through the first dichroic mirror 40 and converted into an electrical signal, and is monitored and processed by the data processing module 62 to obtain the microwave signal to be measured, such as the electric field strength of the field to be measured; wherein the data processing module 62 can be set to a computer processor, etc.

[0030] In the optional scheme of this embodiment, it is more preferred that the detection light generating component 20 includes a second generator 21, a second half-wave plate 22 and a second polarization beam splitter prism 23, the second generator 21 is used to emit the detection light, and make the detection light pass through the second half-wave plate 22 and the second polarization beam splitter prism 23 in sequence along the second optical path 80; wherein the second half-wave plate 22 is used to rotate and select the polarization of the detection light, and the second polarization beam splitter prism 23 is used to divide the incident detection light into a horizontal polarization component light (transmission) and a vertical polarization component light (reflection), so that the polarization directions of the detection light, the coupling light and the field to be measured in the atomic gas chamber 30 are the same.

[0031] In the optional scheme of this embodiment, it is more preferred that the microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms provided in this embodiment also includes a negative feedback component 110, and the detection light generating component 20 also includes a beam splitting prism 24 arranged on the second optical path 80, and the beam splitting prism 24 is located between the second polarization beam splitting prism 23 and the atomic gas chamber 30; the negative feedback component 110 is arranged on one side of the beam splitting prism 24 and is communicatively connected with the second generator 21; the beam splitting prism 24 can reflect part of the detection light to the negative feedback component 110 so as to lock the detection light power, and the negative feedback component 110 is used to receive the optical signal of the detection light reflected by the beam splitting prism 24 and lock the power of the second generator 21. By locking the power of the second generator 21, the overall receiver has a stronger ability to stably receive data and the results are more accurate.

[0032] In the optional scheme of this embodiment, it is more preferred that the negative feedback component 110 includes a second photodiode 111 and a negative feedback module 112, the second photodiode 111 is arranged on one side of the beam splitting prism 24, and the negative feedback module 112 is communicatively connected with the second photodiode 111 and the second generator 21; the second photodiode 111 is used to receive the optical signal of the detection light reflected by the beam splitting prism 24 and convert it into an electrical signal, and the negative feedback module 112 receives the electrical signal and locks the power of the second generator 21; wherein the negative feedback module 112 is a PID module to regulate and lock the power of the second generator 21.

[0033] In the optional scheme of this embodiment, more preferably, the microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms provided in this embodiment also includes a shell 120, and the shell 120 is set to a material of organic glass. The atomic gas chamber 30, the reflecting component 50, the first dichroic mirror 40, the second dichroic mirror 90, the first half-wave plate 12, the first polarization beam splitter prism 13, the first photodiode 61, the second half-wave plate 22, the second polarization beam splitter prism 23, the beam splitter prism 24 and the second photodiode 111 are all fixedly arranged in the shell 120. The overall integration is improved by setting the shell 120, which is convenient for movement. Specifically, the above-mentioned components can be fixedly arranged in the shell 120 by a bracket, and the shell 120 is set to a material of organic glass for easy observation; two signal output ports 121 respectively connected to the first photodiode 61 and the second photodiode 111 are arranged on the shell 120 to facilitate the transmission of electrical signals, and two optical fiber input ports 122 respectively connected to the first generator 11 and the second generator 21 are arranged on the shell 120 to facilitate the transmission of detection light or coupled light.

[0034] Furthermore, the shell 120 can be freely rotated as a whole by holding the device, so that the polarization direction of the detection laser and the coupling laser can always be kept consistent with the polarization direction of the field to be measured, making it more sensitive to the field to be measured; and the shell 120 can be set to a detachable structure, such as the side walls of the shell 120 are connected by screws or snaps to facilitate overall installation and disassembly.

[0035] In the optional scheme of this embodiment, it is more preferred that the reflective component 50 is configured as a triangular reflective prism, and the first optical path 70 and the second optical path 80 are arranged in parallel, so that the triangular reflective prism can reflect the detection light and the coupling light, so that the detection light and the coupling light can be irradiated twice in the atomic gas chamber 30.

[0036] The microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms provided in this embodiment is an integrated device for measuring microwave electric field intensity. The measurement method is a conventional measurement method in the art. Specifically, a field to be measured is set outside the integrated device and is set close to the atomic gas chamber 30. The output frequency of the field to be measured is consistent with the resonance frequency of the Rydberg energy level. (If the frequency of the field to be measured is unknown and cannot be adjusted, the wave number of the incident coupling light can be adjusted to adjust the Rydberg state at this time to produce AT splitting phenomenon.) At this time, EIT-AT splitting phenomenon will occur. The interval between the two peaks of AT splitting, i.e., Δf, is measured. The formula is Planck's constant, μ is the transition dipole moment of the Rydberg atom, and the electric field strength of the field to be measured can be obtained.

[0037] The present invention uses specific examples to illustrate the principle and implementation of the present invention. The above examples are only used to help understand the method and core idea of ​​the present invention. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the idea of ​​the present invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

Claims

1. A microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms, characterized in that: The invention comprises a coupling light generating component (10), a detection light generating component (20), an atomic gas chamber (30), a first dichroic mirror (40), a reflecting component (50) and a detecting component (60); the atomic gas chamber (30) is filled with alkali metal atoms, the coupling light generating component (10) and the detection light generating component (20) are arranged on the same side of the atomic gas chamber (30), and the reflecting component (50) is arranged on the other side of the atomic gas chamber (30); The coupling light generating component (10) is used to emit coupling light and make the coupling light pass through the atomic gas chamber (30) along a first optical path (70) and irradiate the reflecting component (50); the detection light generating component (20) is used to emit detection light and make the detection light pass through the atomic gas chamber (30) along a second optical path (80) and irradiate the reflecting component (50); the reflecting component (50) is used to reflect the coupling light on the first optical path (70) to the second optical path (80); the reflecting component (50) is also used to reflect the coupling light on the second optical path (80) to the atomic gas chamber (30). 0) is reflected to the first optical path (70); the first dichroic mirror (40) is arranged on the first optical path (70) and is located between the coupling light generating component (10) and the atomic gas chamber (30); the detection component (60) is located on one side of the first dichroic mirror (40); the first dichroic mirror (40) is used to allow the coupling light to pass through and reflect the detection light to the detection component (60); the detection component (60) is used to receive the optical signal of the detection light reflected by the first dichroic mirror (40) and obtain the microwave signal to be measured.

2. The microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a second dichroic mirror (90), which is arranged on the second optical path (80) and placed between the detection light generating component (20) and the atomic gas chamber (30), and the second dichroic mirror (90) is used to allow the detection light to pass through and reflect the coupled light out of the second optical path (80).

3. The microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also comprises a laser collecting component (100) which is arranged on one side of the second dichroic mirror (90), and the second dichroic mirror (90) is used to reflect the coupled light to the laser collecting component (100).

4. The microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms according to claim 3, characterized in that: The coupling light generating component (10) comprises a first generator (11), a first half-wave plate (12) and a first polarization beam splitter (13); the first generator (11) is used to emit the coupling light, and to make the coupling light pass through the first half-wave plate (12) and the first polarization beam splitter (13) in sequence along the first optical path (70).

5. The microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms according to claim 4, characterized in that: The detection component (60) comprises a first photodiode (61) and a data processing module (62), wherein the first photodiode (61) is arranged on one side of the first dichroic mirror (40), and the data processing module (62) is communicatively connected with the first photodiode (61); the first photodiode (61) is used to receive the optical signal of the detection light reflected by the first dichroic mirror (40) and convert it into an electrical signal, and the data processing module (62) receives the electrical signal and obtains the microwave signal to be detected.

6. The microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms according to claim 5, characterized in that: The detection light generating assembly (20) comprises a second generator (21), a second half-wave plate (22) and a second polarization beam splitter prism (23); the second generator (21) is used to emit the detection light, and to make the detection light pass through the second half-wave plate (22) and the second polarization beam splitter prism (23) in sequence along the second optical path (80).

7. The microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes a negative feedback component (110), and the detection light generating component (20) also includes a beam splitter prism (24) arranged on the second optical path (80), and the beam splitter prism (24) is located between the second polarization beam splitter prism (23) and the atomic gas chamber (30); the negative feedback component (110) is arranged on one side of the beam splitter prism (24) and is communicatively connected with the second generator (21); the beam splitter prism (24) can reflect part of the detection light to the negative feedback component (110), and the negative feedback component (110) is used to receive the optical signal of the detection light reflected by the beam splitter prism (24) and lock the power of the second generator (21).

8. The microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms according to claim 7, characterized in that: The negative feedback component (110) comprises a second photodiode (111) and a negative feedback module (112); the second photodiode (111) is arranged on one side of the beam splitter prism (24); the negative feedback module (112) is communicatively connected with the second photodiode (111) and the second generator (21); the second photodiode (111) is used to receive the optical signal of the detection light reflected by the beam splitter prism (24) and convert it into an electrical signal; the negative feedback module (112) receives the electrical signal and locks the power of the second generator (21).

9. The microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms according to claim 8, characterized in that: The invention also comprises a shell (120), wherein the shell (120) is made of organic glass, and the atomic gas chamber (30), the reflective component (50), the first dichroic mirror (40), the second dichroic mirror (90), the first half-wave plate (12), the first polarization beam splitter prism (13), the first photodiode (61), the second half-wave plate (22), the second polarization beam splitter prism (23), the beam splitter prism (24) and the second photodiode (111) are all fixedly arranged in the shell (120); the shell (120) is provided with two signal output ports (121) respectively connected to the first photodiode (61) and the second photodiode (111), and the shell (120) is provided with two optical fiber input ports (122) respectively connected to the first generator (11) and the second generator (21).

10. The microwave receiver based on Rydberg atoms according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reflective component (50) is configured as a triangular reflective prism, and the first optical path (70) and the second optical path (80) are configured in parallel.

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