Atomic Television
NIST scientists demonstrate using rubidium atoms in a Rydberg state as receivers which can pick up live video, and even play video games. A stable radio signal is applied to the glass container filled with atoms in a Rydberg state. The modulated output is then fed to a television where an analog-to-digital converter transforms the signal into a video graphics array format for display. This work is part of the NIST on a Chip program.
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have adapted their atom-based radio receiver to detect and display live color television and video games.
Atom-based communications systems are of practical interest because they could be physically smaller and more tolerant of noisy environments than conventional electronics. Adding video capability could enhance radio systems in, for example, remote locations or emergency situations.
NIST’s receiver uses atoms prepared in high-energy “Rydberg” states, which are unusually sensitive to electromagnetic fields, including radio signals. These sensors also enable signal power measurements linked to the international system of units (SI). The latest work, described in AVS Quantum Science, is the first to demonstrate video reception.
“We figured out how to stream and receive videos through the Rydberg atom sensors,” project leader Chris Holloway said. “Now we are doing video streaming and quantum gaming, streaming video games through the atoms. We basically encoded the video game onto a signal and detected it with the atoms. The output is fed directly into the TV.”
Researchers use two different color lasers to prepare gaseous rubidium atoms in Rydberg states in a glass container. The team previously used the setup with cesium atoms to demonstrate the basic watch atomic television color
