arXiv subjects

Linjie Zhang

Publications and source records attributed to Linjie Zhang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Stochastic Liouville-transport theory of light-atom interaction noise in thermal atomic vapors

Atom-light interaction noise can limit thermal-vapor sensing. Existing theories often treat internal-state dynamics, finite-mode atomic motion, and stochastic renewal separately, obscuring their coupled contributions to measured noise. We develop a general stochastic Liouville-transport theory, tested against polarization-resolved resonant Cs D$_2$ spectra. Joint experiment-theory analysis identifies atom-light noise below approximately 100 kHz as transit-dominated. Ballistic motion through the finite Gaussian mode modulates both the coupling-weighted effective atom number and trajectory-dependent Rabi coupling, producing predominantly common-mode noise. Boundary renewal introduces atoms with independently sampled ground-state sublevels, generating differential population fluctuations with opposite effects on the circular channels. Under an applied longitudinal magnetic field, experiment and theory show the same qualitative nonmonotonic change in common-mode suppression, supporting Zeeman redistribution of the channel responses. The framework can analyze noise in other thermal-atom sensors, including Rydberg-atom electric-field measurements.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

AutoBinder Agent: An MCP-Based Agent for End-to-End Protein Binder Design

Modern AI technologies for drug discovery are distributed across heterogeneous platforms-including web applications, desktop environments, and code libraries-leading to fragmented workflows, inconsistent interfaces, and high integration overhead. We present an agentic end-to-end drug design framework that leverages a Large Language Model (LLM) in conjunction with the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to dynamically coordinate access to biochemical databases, modular toolchains, and task-specific AI models. The system integrates four state-of-the-art components: MaSIF (MaSIF-site and MaSIF-seed-search) for geometric deep learning-based identification of protein-protein interaction (PPI) sites, Rosetta for grafting protein fragments onto protein backbones to form mini proteins, ProteinMPNN for amino acid sequences redesign, and AlphaFold3 for near-experimental accuracy in complex structure prediction. Starting from a target structure, the framework supports de novo binder generation via surface analysis, scaffold grafting and pose construction, sequence optimization, and structure prediction. Additionally, by replacing rigid, script-based workflows with a protocol-driven, LLM-coordinated architecture, the framework improves reproducibility, reduces manual overhead, and ensures extensibility, portability, and auditability across the entire drug design process.

q-bio.BM↗

arXiv2026

Self-Supervised Learning with Noisy Dataset for Rydberg Microwave Sensors Denoising

We report a self-supervised deep learning framework for Rydberg sensors that enables single-shot noise suppression matching the accuracy of multi-measurement averaging. The framework eliminates the need for clean reference signals (hardly required in quantum sensing) by training on two sets of noisy signals with identical statistical distributions. When evaluated on Rydberg sensing datasets, the framework outperforms wavelet transform and Kalman filtering, achieving a denoising effect equivalent to 10,000-set averaging while reducing computation time by three orders of magnitude. We further validate performance across diverse noise profiles and quantify the complexity-performance trade-off of U-Net and Transformer architectures, providing actionable guidance for optimizing deep learning-based denoising in Rydberg sensor systems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Reactive near-field subwavelength microwave imaging with a non-invasive Rydberg probe

Non-invasive microwave field imaging--accurately mapping field distributions without perturbing them--is essential in areas such as aerospace engineering, biomedical imaging and integrated-circuit diagnostics. Conventional metal probes, however, inevitably perturb reactive near fields: they act as strong scatterers that drive induced currents and secondary radiation, remap evanescent components and thereby degrade both accuracy and spatial resolution, particularly in the reactive near-field regime that is most relevant to these applications. Here we demonstrate, to our knowledge for the first time, reactive near-field subwavelength imaging of microwave fields using the quantum non-demolition properties of Rydberg atoms, realized with a compact, non-invasive single-ended fibre-integrated Rydberg probe engineered to minimize field disturbance. The probe achieves an imaging resolution of {\unboldmath$\lambda/56$}, and the measured field distributions agree with full-wave simulations with structural similarity approaching unity, confirming both its subwavelength spatial resolution and its genuinely non-invasive character compared with conventional metal-based probes. Because the atomic sensor is intrinsically isotropic, the same device can faithfully image multi-dimensional field structures without orientation-dependent calibration. Our results therefore establish a general, non-invasive route to high-accuracy, subwavelength reactive near-field microwave imaging, with particular promise for applications such as chip-defect detection and integrated-circuit diagnostics, where even small perturbations by the probe can mask the underlying physics of interest.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Time series learning in a many-body Rydberg system with emergent collective amplification

Interacting Rydberg atoms constitute a versatile platform for the realization of non-equilibrium states of matter. Close to phase transitions, they respond collectively to external perturbations, which can be harnessed for technological applications in the domain of quantum metrology and sensing. Owing to the controllable complexity and straightforward interpretability of Rydberg atoms, we can observe and tune the emergent collective amplification. Here, we investigate the application of an interacting Rydberg vapour for the purpose of time series prediction. The vapour is driven by a laser field whose Rabi frequency is modulated in order to input the time series. We find that close to a non-equilibrium phase transition, where collective effects are amplified, the capability of the system to learn the input becomes enhanced. This is reflected in an increase of the accuracy with which future values of the time series can be predicted. Using the Lorenz time series and temperature data as examples, our work demonstrates how emergent phenomena enhance the capability of noisy many-body systems for data processing and forecasting.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Time delay of mean field interaction in thermal Rydberg atomic gas

Mean field theory is commonly employed to study nonequilibrium dynamics in hot Rydberg atomic ensembles, but the fundamental mechanism behind the generation of the mean-field interactions remains poorly understood. In this work, we experimentally observe a time-delay effect in the buildup of mean-field interaction, which reveals the key role of collision ionization. We analyze the relevant collision channels and propose a microscopic mechanism that quantitatively explains the hysteresis window observed in optical bistability. Then, using square-wave modulation spectroscopy (SMS) to monitor the growth of the mean-field interaction, we experimentally demonstrate a delay in its dynamical buildup following the initial Rydberg excitation. Finally, we demonstrate how this delay effect may help understand the recently observed self-sustained oscillations in thermal Rydberg gases. Our findings provide compelling evidence for the contribution of ionization processes in the nonequilibrium dynamics of thermal Rydberg gas, a system of growing interest for quantum sensing and quantum information science.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

Microwave-coupled optical bistability in driven and interacting Rydberg gases

Nonequilibrium dynamics are closely related to various fields of research, in which vastly different phases emerge when parameters are changed. However, it is difficult to construct nonequilibrium systems that have sufficiently tunable controllable parameters. Using microwave field coupling induced optical bistability, Rydberg gases exhibit a range of significantly different optical responses. In conjunction with electromagnetically induced transparency, the microwave coupling can create versatile nonequilibrium dynamics. In particular, the microwave coupling of two Rydberg states provides an additional handle for controlling the dynamics. And the microwave-controlled nonequilibrium phase transition has the potential to be applied in microwave field measurement. This study opens a new avenue to exploring bistable dynamics using microwave-coupled Rydberg gases, and developing quantum technological applications.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Practical ultra-low frequency noise laser system for quantum sensors

The laser's frequency noise is crucial to the sensitivity of quantum sensors. Two commonly used methods to suppress the laser's frequency noise are locking the laser to an atomic transition by the lock-in technique or to an ultra-low thermal expansion (ULE) glass cavity by the PDH technique. The former cannot suppress rapidly changing frequency noise and hardly meets the needs; the latter has powerful performance but a heightened cost. The lack of high-performance and low-cost laser noise suppression methods dramatically limits the practical application of quantum sensors. This work demonstrates that, in many quantum sensing applications such as the Rydberg atomic superheterodyne receiver, by cascade locking the laser to both the atomic transition and a low-cost (LC) cavity, the same performance as locking to the ULE cavity can be achieved. This work is significant in promoting the practical application of quantum sensors.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

RF E-field enhanced sensing based on Rydberg-atom-based superheterodyne receiver

We present enhanced sensing of radio frequency (RF) electric fields (E-fields) by the combined polarizability of Rydberg atoms and the optimized local oscillator (LO) fields of supergheterodyne receiving. Our modified theoretical model reveals the dependencies of sensitivity of E-field amplitude measurement on the polarizability of Rydberg states and the strength of the LO RF field. The enhanced sensitivity of megahertz(MHz) E-field are demonstrated at an optimal LO field for three different Rydberg states $\rm 43D_{5/2}$, $\rm 60S_{1/2}$, and $\rm 90S_{1/2}$. The sensitivity of 63 MHz for the $\rm 90S_{1/2}$ state reaches 0.96 $μ\rm V/cm/\sqrt{Hz}$ that is about an order of magnitude higher than those already published. This result closely approaches the theoretical sensitivity limit of RF dipole antennas, and indicates the potential for breaking the limit in measuring sub-MHz E-fields. This atomic sensor based on Rydberg Stark effect with heterodyne technique is expected to boost an alternative solution to electric dipole antennas.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

Quantum sensing of microwave electric fields based on Rydberg atoms

Microwave electric field sensing is of importance for a wide range of applications in areas of remote sensing, radar astronomy and communications. Over the past decade, Rydberg atoms, owing to their exaggerated response to microwave electric fields, plentiful optional energy levels and integratable preparation methods, have been used in ultra-sensitive, wide broadband, traceable, stealthy microwave electric field sensing. This review first introduces the basic concept of quantum sensing, properties of Rydberg atoms and principles of quantum sensing of microwave electric fields with Rydberg atoms. Then an overview of this very active research direction is gradually expanded, covering progresses of sensitivity and bandwidth in Rydberg atoms based icrowavesensing,uperheterodyne quantum sensing with microwave-dressed Rydberg atoms, quantum-enhanced sensing of microwave electric field, recent advanced quantum measurement systems and approaches to further improve the performance of microwave electric field sensing. Finally, a brief outlook on future development directions is discussed.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2023

Improvement of response bandwidth and sensitivity of Rydberg Receiver using multi-channel excitations

We investigate the response bandwidth of a superheterodyne Rydberg receiver at a room-temperature vapor cell, and present an architecture of multi-channel lasers excitation to increase the response bandwidth and keep sensitivity, simultaneously. Two microwave fields, denoted as a local oscillator (LO) $E_{LO}$ and a signal field $E_{Sig}$, couple two Rydberg states transition of $|52D_{5/2}\rangle\to |53P_{3/2}\rangle$. In the presence of the LO field, the frequency difference between two fields can be read out as an intermediate frequency (IF) signal using Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) spectroscopy. The bandwidth of the Rydberg receiver is obtained by measuring the output power of IF signal versus the frequency difference between two fields. The bandwidth dependence on the Rabi frequency of excitation lasers is presented, which shows the bandwidth decrease with the probe Rabi frequency, while it is quadratic dependence on the coupling Rabi frequency. Meanwhile, we investigate the effect of probe laser waist on the bandwidth, showing that the bandwidth is inversely proportional to the laser waist. We achieve a maximum response bandwidth of the receiver about 6.8~MHz. Finally, we design an architecture of multi-channel lasers excitation for increasing the response and keeping the sensitivity, simultaneously. Our work has the potential to extend the applications of Rydberg atoms in communications.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2023

An isotropic antenna based on Rydberg atoms

Governed by the hairy ball theorem, classical antennas with isotropic responses to linearly polarized radio waves are unrealizable. This work shows that the antenna based on Rydberg atoms can theoretically achieve an ideal isotropic response to linearly polarized radio waves; that is, it has zero isotropic deviation. Experimental results of isotropic deviation within 5 dB, and 0.3 dB achievable after optimization, in microwave and terahertz wave measurements support the theory and are at least 15 dB improvement than the classical omnidirectional antenna. Combined with the SI traceable and ultrawideband property, the ideal isotropic response will make radio wave measurement based on atomic antenna much more accurate and reliable than the traditional method. This isotropic atomic antenna is an excellent example of what a tailored quantum sensor can realize, but a classical sensor cannot. It has crucial applications in fields such as radio wave electrometry.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Quantum scaling atomic superheterodyne receiver

Measurement sensitivity is one of the critical indicators for Rydberg atomic radio receivers. This work quantitatively studies the relationship between the atomic superheterodyne receiver's sensitivity and the number of atoms involved in the measurement. The atom number is changed by adjusting the length of the interaction area. The results show that for the ideal case, the sensitivity of the atomic superheterodyne receiver exhibits a quantum scaling: the amplitude of its output signal is proportional to the atom number, and the amplitude of its read-out noise is proportional to the square root of the atom number. Hence, its sensitivity is inversely proportional to the square root of the atom number. This work also gives a detailed discussion of the properties of transit noise in atomic receivers and the influence of some non-ideal factors on sensitivity scaling. This work is significant in the field of atom-based quantum precision measurements.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Noise analysis of the atomic superheterodyne receiver based on flat-top laser beams

Since its theoretical sensitivity is limited by quantum noise, radio wave sensing based on Rydberg atoms has the potential to replace its traditional counterparts with higher sensitivity and has developed rapidly in recent years. However, as the most sensitive atomic radio wave sensor, the atomic superheterodyne receiver lacks a detailed noise analysis to pave its way to achieve theoretical sensitivity. In this work, we quantitatively study the noise power spectrum of the atomic receiver versus the number of atoms, where the number of atoms is precisely controlled by changing the diameters of flat-top excitation laser beams. The results show that under the experimental conditions that the diameters of excitation beams are less than or equal to 2 mm and the read-out frequency is larger than 70 kHz, the sensitivity of the atomic receiver is limited only by the quantum noise and, in the other conditions, limited by classical noises. However, the experimental quantum-projection-noise-limited sensitivity this atomic receiver reaches is far from the theoretical sensitivity. This is because all atoms involved in light-atom interaction will contribute to noise, but only a fraction of them participating in the radio wave transition can provide valuable signals. At the same time, the calculation of the theoretical sensitivity considers both the noise and signal are contributed by the same amount of atoms. This work is essential in making the sensitivity of the atomic receiver reach its ultimate limit and is significant in quantum precision measurement.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

High bandwidth laser-frequency-locking for wideband noise suppression

Ultra-low frequency noise lasers have been widely used in laser-based experiments. Most narrow-linewidth lasers are implemented by actively suppressing their frequency noise through a frequency noise servo loop (FNSL). The loop bandwidths (LBW) of FNSLs are currently below megahertz, which is gradually tricky to meet application requirements, especially for wideband quantum sensing experiments. This article has experimentally implemented an FNSL with loop-delay-limited 3.5 MHz LBW, which is an order higher than the usual FNSLs. Using this FNSL, we achieved 70 dB laser frequency noise suppression over 100 kHz Fourier frequency range. This technology has broad applications in vast fields where wideband laser frequency noise suppression is inevitable.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2019

Quantum superhet based on microwave-dressed Rydberg atoms

The highly sensitive, phase- and frequency-resolved detection of microwave electric fields is of central importance for diverse fields ranging from astronomy, remote sensing, communication and microwave quantum technology. However, present quantum sensing of microwave electric fields primarily relies on atom-based electrometers only enabling amplitude measurement. Moreover, the best sensitivity of atom-based electrometers is limited by photon shot noise to few $μ$Vcm$^{-1}$Hz$^{-1/2}$: While going beyond is in principle possible by using squeezed light or Schrödinger-cat state, the former is very challenging for atomic experiments while the latter is feasible in all but very small atomic systems. Here we report a novel microwave electric field quantum sensor termed as quantum superhet, which, for the first time, enables experimental measurement of phase and frequency, and makes a sensitivity few tens of nVcm$^{-1}$Hz$^{-1/2}$ readily accessible for current experiments. This sensor is based on microwave-dressed Rydberg atoms and tailored optical spectrum, with very favorable scalings on sensitivity gains. We can experimentally achieve a sensitivity of $55$ nVcm$^{-1}$Hz$^{-1/2}$, with the minimum detectable field being three orders of magnitude smaller than existing quantum electrometers. We also measure phase and frequency, being able to reach a frequency accuracy of few tens of $μ$Hz for microwave field of just few tens of nVcm$^{-1}$. Our technique can be also applied to sense electric fields at terahertz or radio frequency. This work is a first step towards realizing the long sought-after electromagnetic-wave quantum sensors with quantum projection noise limited sensitivity, promising broad applications such as in radio telescope, terahertz communication and quantum control.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2017

Nonlinear Zeeman effect, line shapes and optical pumping in electromagnetically induced transparency

We perform Zeeman spectroscopy on a Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) system in a room-temperature Cs vapor cell, in magnetic fields up to 50~Gauss and for several polarization configurations. The magnetic interactions of the $\vert 6S_{1/2}, F_g=4 \rangle$ ground, $\vert 6P_{3/2}, F_e=5 \rangle$ intermediate, and $\vert 33S_{1/2} \rangle$ Rydberg states that form the ladder-type EIT system are in the linear Zeeman, quadratic Zeeman, and the deep hyperfine Paschen-Back regimes, respectively. Starting in magnetic fields of about 5~Gauss, the spectra develop an asymmetry that becomes paramount in fields $\gtrsim40$~Gauss. We use a quantum Monte Carlo wave-function approach to quantitatively model the spectra. Simulated spectra are in good agreement with experimental data. The asymmetry in the spectra is, in part, due to level shifts caused by the quadratic Zeeman effect, but it also reflects the complicated interplay between optical pumping and EIT in the magnetic field. Relevance to measurement applications is discussed. %The simulations are also used to study optical pumping in the magnetic field and to investigate the interplay between optical pumping and EIT, which reduces photon scattering and optical pumping.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2015

Atom-interferometric measurement of Stark level splittings

Multiple adiabatic/diabatic passages through avoided crossings in the Stark map of cesium Rydberg atoms are employed as beam splitters and recombiners in an atom-interferometric measurement of energy-level splittings. We subject cold cesium atoms to laser-excitation, electric-field and detection sequences that constitute an (internal-state) atom interferometer. For the read-out of the interferometer we utilize state-dependent collisions, which selectively remove atoms of one kind from the detected signal. We investigate the dependence of the interferometric signal on timing and field parameters, and find good agreement with time-dependent quantum simulations of the interferometer. Fourier analysis of the interferometric signals yield coherence frequencies that agree with corresponding energy-level differences in calculated Stark maps. The method enables spectroscopy of states that are inaccessible to direct laser-spectroscopic observation, due to selection rules, and has applications in field metrology.

physics.atom-ph↗