Highly sensitive microwave electrometry with enhanced instantaneous bandwidth

Rydberg microwave (MW) sensors are superior to conventional antenna-based techniques because of their wide operating frequency range and outstanding potential sensitivity. Here, we demonstrate a Rydberg microwave receiver with a high sensitivity of 62nVcm-1Hz-1/2 and broad instantaneous bandwidth of up to ±10.2MHz. Such excellent performance was achieved by the amplification of one generated sideband wave induced by the strong coupling field in the six-wave mixing process of the Rydberg superheterodyne receiver, which was well predicted by our theory. Our system, which possesses a uniquely enhanced instantaneous bandwidth and high-sensitivity features that can be improved further, will promote the application of Rydberg microwave electrometry in radar and communication.