Demonstration of RF‑to‑optical conversion at terahertz carrier frequencies

Demonstrate experimentally coherent RF‑to‑optical photon conversion in Rydberg‑atom vapours at terahertz carrier frequencies, establishing operability and measuring sensitivity in the THz regime.

Background

RF‑to‑optical conversion has shown strong performance at microwave and millimetre‑wave frequencies, with single‑photon‑level sensitivity in warm vapours. Extending this approach into the THz band would enable passive and active THz sensing with optical readout.

The authors note that despite theoretical promise, no experimental demonstration has yet been reported at THz frequencies, leaving a key capability unproven for THz applications.

References

Although RF-to-optical conversion holds theoretical promise—especially through low-noise and coherence-preserving techniques—it has not yet been experimentally established in the THz frequency regime.

— Rydberg Receivers for Space Applications  (2601.20631 - Allinson et al., 28 Jan 2026) in Section 4, Matching of Architecture with Application – Imaging and Terahertz Sensing