Detection and transduction of microwave and terahertz fields with Rydberg atoms

Rydberg atoms are an established platform for quantum technologies, with new applications still emerging. Large dipole moment of Rydberg atoms allows for their well-known interacting properties, facilitating e.g. quantum gates. The same property also allows for detection of external fields, using \transitions between two Rydberg states. Remarkably, these properties hold even in hot-atom vapor cell systems. I will present our results on detecting as well as transducing microwave and terahertz radiation into the optical domain. I will also discuss sensitivity limits, and show how we can achieve detection of thermal radiation, also in cryogenic conditions.

I will also hint at ongoing cold-atom based experiments aimed at demonstrating ultimate quantum-metrological limits of sensing via collective qubit lifetime-extension techniques inspired by our past experiments with quantum memories.