meeting Thursday 28th August: Atomic Radio: "Rydberg Receivers" by Liam W Bussey

[John Gumb]

Folks,

Next meeting is on Thursday 28th August. We are delighted to welcome Liam W Bussey along, in person, for a talk on a fundamentally new technology for radio reception based on "Rydberg atoms".

Venue: 2nd Woodley Scout Group, Vauxhall Park, Vauxhall Dr, Woodley, Reading RG5 4EA https://what3words.com/bowls.blame.lace .

Eyes down: 8pm.

Zoom info at end.

Since the dawn of radio, receiving systems have generally followed the same pattern: a receiver coupled to an aerial with aerial sizes largely corresponding to wavelength (with notable exceptions such as the amazing ferrite rod antennas used in traditional AM medium/long wave radios; also "mag loops").

Now there is a new technology on the block, almost beyond belief, based on "Rydberg atoms". These are a class of atom which have electrons unusually distant from the nucleus, named after Swedish physicist Johannes Robert Rydberg. Often they are alkali metal atoms i.e. Sodium, Potassium and friends. Here typically Rubidium is used; next in sequence after Potassium.

These special atoms have opened up entirely new fields of study for electric field and magnetic field sensing ("Rydberg sensing"). From an RF perspective, theoretically, reception is possible from terahertz down to VLF with very small "receivers".
 
By shining lasers through a vapour cell of Rydberg atoms and observing the transmitted light different ways, it is possible to sense RF. There's a bit more to it than that, though. We are excited to have Liam along who has practical experience building real radio receivers with this ground breaking technology to tell us all about it.

In conjunction with the University of Birmingham, Liam worked at BT Martlesham Heath as a research professional and is currently working for UK defence company lenoardo. He is very much looking forward to meeting us.

Refreshments available as usual. Please bring a mug if you wish to partake. Copious biscuits and (jaffa) cakes on tap.

73

John

G4RDC

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Reading and District Amateur Radio Club is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Atomic Radio: Rydberg Receivers by Liam W Bussey

Time: Aug 28, 2025 08:00 PM London

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Meeting ID: 899 4904 0813

Passcode: 949254

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[John Gumb]

See you on Thursday!

73

John

G4RDC