Continuous Wideband Multicarrier Rydberg Atomic Quantum Receiver

Abstract

This paper investigates continuous wideband orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) reception using an auxiliary (AUX)-assisted five-level Rydberg atomic quantum receiver (RAQR) with a single microwave local oscillator (LO), without requiring additional atomic reception transitions or LO frequency combs. By exploiting Floquet theory, the proposed framework characterizes the dynamic atomic response at finite signal-LO detunings without relying on a quasi-static Taylor expansion around the LO operating point. Specifically, closed-form radio-frequency (RF)-to-electrical conversion expressions are derived from the Lindblad master equation under weak-probe and weak-signal approximations. Building on these expressions, an equivalent multicarrier communication model is established, revealing the inherent frequency selectivity of the atomic response and the resulting subcarrier-dependent amplitude and phase distortions. RAQR-aware zero-forcing (ZF) equalization is developed to enable reliable OFDM reception. Furthermore, analytical results reveal how LO and AUX driving influence the atomic response through dressed-state splitting and energy-level shifts. An upper bound on the LO-referenced half-power span is derived, and an approximately $18$-dB reduction in center-response power per bandwidth doubling is established in the AUX-free strong-LO regime. Simulation results validate the analytical response model and reveal pronounced subcarrier-dependent amplitude and phase variations across over $10$~MHz, highlighting the potential of RAQRs as wideband receiving front ends for future wireless communications.