A “real-time” guitar recording using Rydberg atoms and electromagnetically induced transparency: Quantum physics meets music

Abstract

We demonstrate how Rydberg atoms and the phenomena of electromagnetically induced transparency can be used to aid in the recording of a musical instrument in real time as it is played. Also, by using two different atomic species (cesium and rubidium) in the same vapor cell, we demonstrate the ability to record two guitars simultaneously, where each atomic species detects and allows for the recording of each guitar separately. The approach shows how audio data (the musical composition) can be detected with a quantum system, illustrating that due to the research over the past decade we can now control ensembles of atoms to such an extent that we can use them in this “entertaining” example of recording a musical instrument.