Abstract: In one example, a sensor comprising a vapor cell including a vapor of alkali atoms is disclosed. The sensor further comprises a system configured to direct electromagnetic (EM) radiation of one or more frequencies into the vapor cell and incident on the vapor of alkali atoms. The EM radiation of one or more frequencies is configured to prepare the alkali atoms from a first quantum state to a Rydberg state. The alkali atoms prepared in the Rydberg state comprise an orbital angular momentum quantum number that is at least the number of quanta of the one or more frequencies. The sensor further comprises a detector configured to detect a response of the alkali atoms to incident electromagnetic radiation after the alkali atoms are prepared in the Rydberg state.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for optical communications are provided that have reduced size, weight, and power use. Such system and methods can find, use between satellites or other distant systems that are in significant relative motion. Such embodiments include the use of a diamagnetically levitated magnetic actuator or other actuator to control the orientation of an optical phased array (OPA), thereby aiming the array at distant target systems. An OPA has reduced size and mass relative to traditional telescopes, providing similar beam apertures while having reduced size, weight, and cost of the OPA and associated actuators. The actuator allows the OPA to omit, or to include fewer, phase shifter elements than previous steerable OPA telescopes, reducing complexity', cost, and power requirements.

Abstract: In one example, a sensor comprising a vapor cell including a vapor of alkali atoms is disclosed. The sensor further comprises a system configured to direct electromagnetic (EM) radiation of one or more frequencies into the vapor cell and incident on the vapor of alkali atoms. The EM radiation of one or more frequencies is configured to prepare the alkali atoms from a first quantum state to a Rydberg state. The alkali atoms prepared in the Rydberg state comprise an orbital angular momentum quantum number that is at least the number of quanta of the one or more frequencies. The sensor further comprises a detector configured to detect a response of the alkali atoms to incident electromagnetic radiation after the alkali atoms are prepared in the Rydberg state.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for optical communications are provided that have reduced size, weight, and power use. Such system and methods can find, use between satellites or other distant systems that are in significant relative motion. Such embodiments include the use of a diamagnetically levitated magnetic actuator or other actuator to control the orientation of an optical phased array (OPA), thereby aiming the array at distant target systems. An OPA has reduced size and mass relative to traditional telescopes, providing similar beam apertures while having reduced size, weight, and cost of the OPA and associated actuators. The actuator allows the OPA to omit, or to include fewer, phase shifter elements than previous steerable OPA telescopes, reducing complexity', cost, and power requirements.

Abstract: A sensor comprising a vapor cell including a vapor of alkali atoms is disclosed. The sensor further comprises a first photonic integrated circuit (PIC) configured to direct light of a first wavelength into the vapor cell and incident on the vapor of alkali atoms, wherein the light of the first wavelength is configured to excite the alkali atoms to a first excited state from a ground state. The sensor further comprises a detector configured to detect a response of the alkali atoms, after the alkali atoms are excited from the first excited state to a Rydberg state, to incident electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: In one example, a sensor comprising a vapor cell including a vapor of alkali atoms is disclosed. The sensor further comprises a system configured to direct electromagnetic (EM) radiation of one or more frequencies into the vapor cell and incident on the vapor of alkali atoms. The EM radiation of one or more frequencies is configured to prepare the alkali atoms from a first quantum state to a Rydberg state. The alkali atoms prepared in the Rydberg state comprise an orbital angular momentum quantum number that is at least the number of quanta of the one or more frequencies. The sensor further comprises a detector configured to detect a response of the alkali atoms to incident electromagnetic radiation after the alkali atoms are prepared in the Rydberg state.

Abstract: A sensor comprising a vapor cell including a vapor of alkali atoms is disclosed. The sensor further comprises a first photonic integrated circuit (PIC) configured to direct light of a first wavelength into the vapor cell and incident on the vapor of alkali atoms, wherein the light of the first wavelength is configured to excite the alkali atoms to a first excited state from a ground state. The sensor further comprises a detector configured to detect a response of the alkali atoms, after the alkali atoms are excited from the first excited state to a Rydberg state, to incident electromagnetic radiation.