Towards On-Chip Rydberg-Atom RF Sensors

Building the simulation backbone for a scalable, chip-integrated Rydberg-atom RF sensor

Rydberg-atom sensors detect radio-frequency (RF) electric fields using laser-prepared atoms in a vapor cell, read out entirely optically. Because the signal is linked to fundamental atomic properties of a gas of atoms, these sensors are self-calibrated to atomic constants and are in principle broadband from DC to the THz range. This makes them attractive for electric-field metrology, spectrum sensing, and RF communications receivers. Most current implementations, however, remain bulky laboratory setups built around centimeter-scale vapor cells and free-space optics, and their raw sensitivity often trails mature RF electronics. Recent work has shown that embedding dielectric, photonic-like structures around the vapor cell concentrates the RF field at the atoms, improving the measured signal by more than an order of magnitude. Consequently, this simulation-heavy work involves, but is not limited to:

• Compiling the sensor's optical requirements (excitation schemes, wavelengths, powers, linewidths, beam configurations) into a concrete target specification.
• Translating these into an on-chip architecture. How to generate, route, and deliver the light on a photonic platform, and identify which free-space optical components can be realized on such a platform without compromising the sensor's performance.
• Perform targeted optical modeling, validated against published results where possible, to identify the most promising practical implementation of the Rydberg sensor.

Type of internship: Master internship

Duration: 6-9 months

Required educational background: Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Electrotechnics/Electrical Engineering

University promotor: Xavier Rottenberg (KU Leuven)

The reference code for this position is 2026-INT-219. Mention this reference code in your application.

Imec allowance will be provided for students studying at a non-Belgian university.

imec's cleanroom