1.
Gong, Tierui; Chandra, Aveek; Yuen, Chau; Guan, Yong Liang; Dumke, Rainer; See, Chong Meng Samson; Debbah, Mérouane; Hanzo, Lajos
Rydberg Atomic Quantum Receivers for Classical Wireless Communication and Sensing Journal Article
In: IEEE Wireless Communications, vol. 32, no. 5, pp. 90–100, 2025, ISSN: 1558-0687.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Atomic measurements, Electric fields, Electrons, Energy states, Laser beams, Quantum communication, Radio frequency, Receivers, RF signals, Rydberg atoms
@article{gong_rydberg_2025,
title = {Rydberg Atomic Quantum Receivers for Classical Wireless Communication and Sensing},
author = {Tierui Gong and Aveek Chandra and Chau Yuen and Yong Liang Guan and Rainer Dumke and Chong Meng Samson See and Mérouane Debbah and Lajos Hanzo},
url = {https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10972179},
doi = {10.1109/MWC.015.2400381},
issn = {1558-0687},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-10-01},
urldate = {2025-10-08},
journal = {IEEE Wireless Communications},
volume = {32},
number = {5},
pages = {90–100},
abstract = {Rydberg atomic quantum receivers (RAQRs) are emerging quantum precision sensing platforms designed for receiving radio frequency (RF) signals. It relies on the creation of Rydberg atoms from normal atoms by exciting one or more electrons to a very high energy level, thereby making the atom sensitive to RF signals. RAQRs realize RF-to-optical conversions based on atom-light interactions relying on the so-called electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and Autler-Townes splitting (ATS) so that the desired RF signal can be read out optically. The large dipole moments of Rydberg atoms associated with rich choices of Rydberg states facilitate an ultra-high sensitivity (textbackslashsimtextbackslashtextnv/textbackslashtextcm/textbackslashsqrttextbackslashtextHz) and an ultra-broadband tunability (direct-current to Terahertz). RAQRs also exhibit compelling scalability and lend themselves to the construction of innovative, compact receivers. Initial experimental studies have demonstrated their capabilities in classical wireless communications and sensing. To fully harness their potential in a wide variety of applications, we commence by outlining the underlying fundamentals of Rydberg atoms, followed by the principles and schemes of RAQRs. Then, we overview the state-of-the-art studies from both physics and communication societies. Furthermore, we conceive Rydberg atomic quantum single-input single-output (RAQ-SISO) and multiple-input multiple-output (RAQ-MIMO) schemes to facilitate the integration of RAQRs with classical wireless systems. Finally, we conclude with a set of potent research directions.},
keywords = {Atomic measurements, Electric fields, Electrons, Energy states, Laser beams, Quantum communication, Radio frequency, Receivers, RF signals, Rydberg atoms},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Rydberg atomic quantum receivers (RAQRs) are emerging quantum precision sensing platforms designed for receiving radio frequency (RF) signals. It relies on the creation of Rydberg atoms from normal atoms by exciting one or more electrons to a very high energy level, thereby making the atom sensitive to RF signals. RAQRs realize RF-to-optical conversions based on atom-light interactions relying on the so-called electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and Autler-Townes splitting (ATS) so that the desired RF signal can be read out optically. The large dipole moments of Rydberg atoms associated with rich choices of Rydberg states facilitate an ultra-high sensitivity (textbackslashsimtextbackslashtextnv/textbackslashtextcm/textbackslashsqrttextbackslashtextHz) and an ultra-broadband tunability (direct-current to Terahertz). RAQRs also exhibit compelling scalability and lend themselves to the construction of innovative, compact receivers. Initial experimental studies have demonstrated their capabilities in classical wireless communications and sensing. To fully harness their potential in a wide variety of applications, we commence by outlining the underlying fundamentals of Rydberg atoms, followed by the principles and schemes of RAQRs. Then, we overview the state-of-the-art studies from both physics and communication societies. Furthermore, we conceive Rydberg atomic quantum single-input single-output (RAQ-SISO) and multiple-input multiple-output (RAQ-MIMO) schemes to facilitate the integration of RAQRs with classical wireless systems. Finally, we conclude with a set of potent research directions.
2.
Trinh, Phuc V.; Sugiura, Shinya; Xu, Chao; Hanzo, Lajos
Optical RISs Improve the Secret Key Rate of Free-Space QKD in HAP-to-UAV Scenarios Journal Article
In: IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 43, no. 8, pp. 2747–2764, 2025, ISSN: 1558-0008.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Atmospheric modeling, Drones, Fluctuations, Free-space optics (FSO), Global Positioning System, high-altitude platforms (HAPs), Laser beams, low-altitude platforms (LAPs), Optical beams, Optical reflection, Power distribution, quantum key distribution (QKD), reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces, Satellites
@article{trinh_optical_2025,
title = {Optical RISs Improve the Secret Key Rate of Free-Space QKD in HAP-to-UAV Scenarios},
author = {Phuc V. Trinh and Shinya Sugiura and Chao Xu and Lajos Hanzo},
url = {https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10993364},
doi = {10.1109/JSAC.2025.3568050},
issn = {1558-0008},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-08-01},
urldate = {2025-10-08},
journal = {IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications},
volume = {43},
number = {8},
pages = {2747–2764},
abstract = {Large optical reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (ORISs) are proposed for employment on building rooftops to facilitate free-space quantum key distribution (QKD) between high-altitude platforms (HAPs) and low-altitude platforms (LAPs). Due to practical constraints, the communication terminals can only be positioned beneath the LAPs, preventing direct upward links to HAPs. By deploying ORISs on rooftops to reflect the beam arriving from HAPs towards LAPs from below, reliable HAP-to-LAP links can be established. To accurately characterize the optical beam propagation, we develop an analytical channel model based on extended Huygens-Fresnel principles for representing both the atmospheric turbulence effects and the hovering fluctuations of LAPs. This model facilitates adaptive ORIS beam-width control through linear, quadratic, and focusing phase shifts, which are capable of effectively mitigating the detrimental effects of beam broadening and pointing errors (PE). Consequently, the information-theoretic bound of the secret key rate and the security performance of a decoy-state QKD protocol are analyzed. Our findings demonstrate that quadratic phase shifts enhance the SKR at high HAP-ORIS zenith angles or mild PE conditions by narrowing the beam to optimal sizes. By contrast, linear phase shifts are advantageous at low HAP-ORIS zenith angles or moderate-to-high PE by diverging the beam to mitigate LAP fluctuations.},
keywords = {Atmospheric modeling, Drones, Fluctuations, Free-space optics (FSO), Global Positioning System, high-altitude platforms (HAPs), Laser beams, low-altitude platforms (LAPs), Optical beams, Optical reflection, Power distribution, quantum key distribution (QKD), reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces, Satellites},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Large optical reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (ORISs) are proposed for employment on building rooftops to facilitate free-space quantum key distribution (QKD) between high-altitude platforms (HAPs) and low-altitude platforms (LAPs). Due to practical constraints, the communication terminals can only be positioned beneath the LAPs, preventing direct upward links to HAPs. By deploying ORISs on rooftops to reflect the beam arriving from HAPs towards LAPs from below, reliable HAP-to-LAP links can be established. To accurately characterize the optical beam propagation, we develop an analytical channel model based on extended Huygens-Fresnel principles for representing both the atmospheric turbulence effects and the hovering fluctuations of LAPs. This model facilitates adaptive ORIS beam-width control through linear, quadratic, and focusing phase shifts, which are capable of effectively mitigating the detrimental effects of beam broadening and pointing errors (PE). Consequently, the information-theoretic bound of the secret key rate and the security performance of a decoy-state QKD protocol are analyzed. Our findings demonstrate that quadratic phase shifts enhance the SKR at high HAP-ORIS zenith angles or mild PE conditions by narrowing the beam to optimal sizes. By contrast, linear phase shifts are advantageous at low HAP-ORIS zenith angles or moderate-to-high PE by diverging the beam to mitigate LAP fluctuations.
3.
Krishnamoorthy, Aravindh; Safi, Hossein; Younus, Othman; Kazemi, Hossein; Osahon, Isaac N. O.; Liu, Mingqing; Liu, Yi; Babadi, Sina; Ahmad, Rizwana; Ihsan, Asim; Majlesein, Behnaz; Huang, Yifan; Herrnsdorf, Johannes; Rajbhandari, Sujan; McKendry, Jonathan J. D.; Tavakkolnia, Iman; Caglayan, Humeyra; Helmers, Henning; Turnbull, Graham; Samuel, Ifor D. W.; Dawson, Martin D.; Schober, Robert; Haas, Harald
Optical Wireless Communications: Enabling the Next-Generation Network of Networks Journal Article
In: IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 20–39, 2025, ISSN: 1556-6080.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Bandwidth, Fiber optics, Laser beams, Optical fiber communication, Optical fibers, Optical transmitters, Terahertz communications, Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, Wireless communication, Wireless networks
@article{krishnamoorthy_optical_2025,
title = {Optical Wireless Communications: Enabling the Next-Generation Network of Networks},
author = {Aravindh Krishnamoorthy and Hossein Safi and Othman Younus and Hossein Kazemi and Isaac N. O. Osahon and Mingqing Liu and Yi Liu and Sina Babadi and Rizwana Ahmad and Asim Ihsan and Behnaz Majlesein and Yifan Huang and Johannes Herrnsdorf and Sujan Rajbhandari and Jonathan J. D. McKendry and Iman Tavakkolnia and Humeyra Caglayan and Henning Helmers and Graham Turnbull and Ifor D. W. Samuel and Martin D. Dawson and Robert Schober and Harald Haas},
url = {https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10974735},
doi = {10.1109/MVT.2025.3555366},
issn = {1556-6080},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-06-01},
urldate = {2025-10-08},
journal = {IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine},
volume = {20},
number = {2},
pages = {20–39},
abstract = {Optical wireless communication (OWC) is a promising technology anticipated to play a key role in the next-generation network of networks (NoNs), especially as a complementary technology to traditional radio-frequency (RF) communications, for enhancing networking capabilities beyond conventional terrestrial networks. OWC is already a mature technology with diverse usage scenarios and can enable integrated applications via wireless access and backhaul networks, dynamic drone and satellite networks, underwater networks, inter- and intrasystem interconnecting networks, and vehicular communication networks. Furthermore, novel and emerging technological opportunities such as photovoltaic cells, orbital angular momentum-based modulation, optical reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, organic light-emitting and photo diodes, and recent advances in ultraviolet communications can help to enhance future OWC capabilities even further. Moreover, OWC networks can also support value-added services such as enhanced positioning and gesture recognition. Hence, OWC provides unique functionalities that can play a crucial role in building convergent and resilient future NoNs alongside RF and optical fiber technologies.},
keywords = {Bandwidth, Fiber optics, Laser beams, Optical fiber communication, Optical fibers, Optical transmitters, Terahertz communications, Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, Wireless communication, Wireless networks},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Optical wireless communication (OWC) is a promising technology anticipated to play a key role in the next-generation network of networks (NoNs), especially as a complementary technology to traditional radio-frequency (RF) communications, for enhancing networking capabilities beyond conventional terrestrial networks. OWC is already a mature technology with diverse usage scenarios and can enable integrated applications via wireless access and backhaul networks, dynamic drone and satellite networks, underwater networks, inter- and intrasystem interconnecting networks, and vehicular communication networks. Furthermore, novel and emerging technological opportunities such as photovoltaic cells, orbital angular momentum-based modulation, optical reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, organic light-emitting and photo diodes, and recent advances in ultraviolet communications can help to enhance future OWC capabilities even further. Moreover, OWC networks can also support value-added services such as enhanced positioning and gesture recognition. Hence, OWC provides unique functionalities that can play a crucial role in building convergent and resilient future NoNs alongside RF and optical fiber technologies.