Get ready for atomic radio

[ChrisSmolinski]

If the knob lovers thought SDR was bad, they won't like this:

Using a laser to detect the effect of radio waves on certain atoms is the basis for a new kind of antenna that resists interference and can receive a wider range of signals.

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/611977/get-ready-for-atomic-radio/

[KaySeeks]

Among its advantages over conventional antennas is the huge range of signals it can detect—over four octaves from the C band to the Q band, or wavelengths from 2.5 to 15 centimeters.

Don't plan on this working on 43 meters as described in this article. Photodiode detectors don't work well there. However, I guess you could upconvert (mix up in frequency) but then some of the benefits like "interference immunity" would be lost.

[skeezix]

For example, its dynamic range is a little less than usually expected over radio.

They definitely need to refine this so C-QUAM can be used to its fullest enjoyment.

[KaySeeks]

They definitely need to refine this so C-QUAM can be used to its fullest enjoyment.

Agreed. With GHz of bandwidth available to them, I'd plan on using C-QUAM too. 

[BoomboxDX]

The antenna is apparently a 'vapor cell' 2 cm in size, according to a PDF I read somewhere.