US 12,007,425 B1 · Measuring radio frequency electromagnetic waves with an in-line measurement device

Abstract

In a general aspect, a system for measuring radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic waves includes a laser system configured to generate plurality of input optical signals. The system also includes an RF measurement device having first and second mode converters and an internal cavity therebetween. The internal cavity contains a vapor that is configured to produce an output optical signal based on the plurality of input optical signals. The RF measurement device also includes an RF waveguide that extends between the first and second mode converters and is configured to carry the second RF waveguide mode through the internal cavity. The system also includes an optical detector system configured to generate a detector signal in response to receiving the output optical signal. The system additionally includes a signal processing system configured to generate data in response to receiving the detector signal.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A system for measuring radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic waves, the system comprising:

a laser system configured to generate a plurality of input optical signals;
an RF measurement device comprising:
first and second mode converters, each configured to convert a mode of an RF electromagnetic wave between a first RF waveguide mode and a second RF waveguide mode,
an internal cavity between the first and second mode converters and containing a vapor that is configured to produce an output optical signal based on the plurality of input optical signals, the vapor comprising Rydberg atoms or molecules, and
an RF waveguide extending between the first and second mode converters and configured to carry the second RF waveguide mode through the internal cavity;
an optical detector system configured to generate a detector signal in response to receiving the output optical signal, the detector signal representing an optical property of the output optical signal;
and
a signal processing system configured to generate data in response to receiving the detector signal, the data representing a property of the RF electromagnetic wave.

5 more elements

A method for measuring radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic waves, the method comprising:

generating a plurality of input optical signals by operation of a laser system;
passing the plurality of input optical signals through a vapor of an RF measurement device to generate an output optical signal, the vapor comprising Rydberg atoms or molecules, the RF measurement device comprising:
first and second mode converters, each configured to convert a mode of an RF electromagnetic wave between a first RF waveguide mode and a second RF waveguide mode,
an internal cavity between the first and second mode converters and containing the vapor, and
an RF waveguide extending between the first and second mode converters and configured to carry the second RF waveguide mode through the internal cavity;
generating, by operation of an optical detector system, a detector signal in response to receiving the output optical signal at the optical detector system, the detector signal representing an optical property of the output optical signal;
and
generating, by operation of a signal processing system, data based on the detector signal that represents a property of the RF electromagnetic wave.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Measuring radio frequency electromagnetic waves with an in-line measurement device

Life of this patent

Measuring radio frequency electromagnetic waves with an in-line measurement device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30