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Main Authors: Allinson, Gianluca, Bason, Mark, Bonnin, Alexis, Borówka, Sebastian, Martin-Iglesias, Petronilo, Neira, Manuel Martin, Mazelanik, Mateusz, Murchie, Richard, Parniak, Michał, Pataraia, Sophio, Ruelle, Thibaud, Schwartz, Sylvain, Strangfeld, Aaron
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.20631
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author Allinson, Gianluca
Bason, Mark
Bonnin, Alexis
Borówka, Sebastian
Martin-Iglesias, Petronilo
Neira, Manuel Martin
Mazelanik, Mateusz
Murchie, Richard
Parniak, Michał
Pataraia, Sophio
Ruelle, Thibaud
Schwartz, Sylvain
Strangfeld, Aaron
author_facet Allinson, Gianluca
Bason, Mark
Bonnin, Alexis
Borówka, Sebastian
Martin-Iglesias, Petronilo
Neira, Manuel Martin
Mazelanik, Mateusz
Murchie, Richard
Parniak, Michał
Pataraia, Sophio
Ruelle, Thibaud
Schwartz, Sylvain
Strangfeld, Aaron
contents Rydberg-atom sensors convert radiofrequency, microwave and terahertz fields into optical signals with SI-traceable calibration, high sensitivity, and broad tunability. This review assesses their potential for space applications by comparing five general architectures (Autler-Townes, AC-Stark, superheterodyne, radiofrequency-to-optical conversion, and fluorescence) against space application needs. We identify promising roles in radiometry, radar, terahertz sensing, and in-orbit calibration, and outline key limitations, including shot noise, sparse terahertz transitions, and currently large Size, Weight, Power and Cost. A staged roadmap highlights which uncertainties should be resolved first and how research organisations, industry and space agencies could take the lead for the different aspects.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_20631
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Rydberg Receivers for Space Applications
Allinson, Gianluca
Bason, Mark
Bonnin, Alexis
Borówka, Sebastian
Martin-Iglesias, Petronilo
Neira, Manuel Martin
Mazelanik, Mateusz
Murchie, Richard
Parniak, Michał
Pataraia, Sophio
Ruelle, Thibaud
Schwartz, Sylvain
Strangfeld, Aaron
Quantum Physics
J.2
Rydberg-atom sensors convert radiofrequency, microwave and terahertz fields into optical signals with SI-traceable calibration, high sensitivity, and broad tunability. This review assesses their potential for space applications by comparing five general architectures (Autler-Townes, AC-Stark, superheterodyne, radiofrequency-to-optical conversion, and fluorescence) against space application needs. We identify promising roles in radiometry, radar, terahertz sensing, and in-orbit calibration, and outline key limitations, including shot noise, sparse terahertz transitions, and currently large Size, Weight, Power and Cost. A staged roadmap highlights which uncertainties should be resolved first and how research organisations, industry and space agencies could take the lead for the different aspects.
title Rydberg Receivers for Space Applications
topic Quantum Physics
J.2
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.20631