The European Space Agency (ESA) has already commissioned a prototype that will be used for atmospheric research and monitoring transmission frequencies, Polish state news agency PAP has reported.
Michał Parniak-Niedojadło, a researcher at the University of Warsaw's Faculty of Physics and its Center for Optical Quantum Technologies, explained that current radio technology requires multiple sensors to capture signals at different frequencies.
In contrast, he said his team is refining an antenna capable of receiving signals across a vast range – from submillimeter waves to waves hundreds of meters long.
The largest wavelengths detected by the device will be millions of times longer than the smallest ones. This is impossible to achieve with standard antennas which need to be built for specific frequency ranges.
The prototype, commissioned by the ESA for EUR 600,000, is expected to aid in studying atmospheric radiation, including signals reflected from planets.
It will also help ensure that companies and institutions are using only the officially allocated radio frequency bands.
The new antennas could also serve as ultra-precise thermometers, capable of measuring temperatures near absolute zero – something beyond the reach of traditional antenna technologies.
The key to this revolutionary approach lies in quantum physics, specifically Rydberg atoms, named after a 19th-century Swedish physicist who carried out foundational work in identifying and describing them.
These are rubidium atoms whose outer electron, when excited by a laser, can jump to high energy levels, greatly expanding the size of the atom – sometimes to diameters as large as 10 microns, comparable to the width of a human blood cell.
When exposed to electromagnetic fields at specific frequencies, these atoms resonate, allowing scientists to register the signal using photonic detection methods developed in Poland.
By adjusting the laser modulation, the Rydberg atoms can be tuned to receive signals of various frequencies.
These quantum receivers operate at room temperature and are remarkably compact. The core receiver itself is just a few millimeters in size, though it currently requires precision lasers about a meter in length for activation and data processing.
“Our antennas are so small they can detect a wave without disturbing it," Parniak-Niedojadło said. "No one will even notice they are being observed."
He added that the technology is resistant to conventional attacks. Since the receiver contains no electronics, it cannot be destroyed remotely by overloading it with a powerful radio signal.
Beyond space applications, Rydberg antennas could also be of interest to telecommunications companies looking to enhance their ability to detect and amplify weak radio signals.
Future applications may extend to quantum computing, where Rydberg receivers could one day function as network interface devices for quantum computers.
“Quantum computers are still in the future, but quantum sensors are on the verge of widespread use,” Parniak-Niedojadło said.
Quantum effects have long been used in space technology, including in atomic clocks which improve the accuracy of GPS systems.
he machine, which is being designed to enhance competencies in quantum technologies such as cryptography and codebreaking, is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The project is led by a consortium headed by the Warsaw University of Technology, with contributions from institutions such as the Military University of Technology and the Military Institute of Armament Technology.
It is funded through a defense grant from the National Center for Research and Development.
Lt. Col. Przemysław Lipczyński, spokesman for the Cyberspace Defense Forces, said that the primary goal of the initiative is to build expertise in quantum algorithms, laying the groundwork for Poland’s technological independence in this cutting-edge field.
He added that both the hardware and software for the quantum computer are being developed domestically, underscoring the project's focus on fostering Polish innovation.
“We believe that direct access to a quantum computer will accelerate the development of quantum computing technologies in Poland," Lipczyński said.
"This project gives us experience in operating such a machine and ensures that we are creators of this technology, not mere consumers of foreign solutions."
Quantum computing uses quantum mechanics to process information. Unlike classical computers, which rely on binary bits, quantum computers use units called qubits, allowing them to perform complex calculations at unprecedented speeds, in order to solve mathematical problems considered unsolvable by traditional machines.
It is a field led by technology majors such as Google, Microsoft and IBM as well as a number of large Chinese enterprises.
Lipczyński explained that while a general-purpose quantum computer capable of revolutionary applications is still years away, early developments like this prototype are crucial for gaining a foothold in the field.
He highlighted quantum key distribution—a technology enabling secure encryption keys even in the face of quantum-powered attacks—as an area of particular interest for military applications.
"This will revolutionize the security of transmitted data, which is critical for the military, given the vast amounts of classified information it handles," he said.
The project, which integrates research and development with national defense priorities, is seen as a step toward ensuring Poland’s readiness for the transformative potential of quantum technologies.
"If quantum computers evolve as anticipated, they will fundamentally change the technological landscape, including cybersecurity," Lipczyński predicted.
"We cannot afford to be reactive; we must seize this opportunity to develop our knowledge and skills now,” he said.
(rt/gs)
Source: naukawpolsce.pl