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Dr. Darmindra Arumugam

Senior Research Technologist

About

Bio

Dr. Darmindra Arumugam is a senior research technologist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), California Institute of Technology, where he leads efforts in atomic sensors for remote sensing, applied physics, and novel sensor systems. He serves as the technical group supervisor for the Radar Concepts and Formulation Group at JPL, overseeing development of advanced sensing architectures across radar and electromagnetic domains. Dr. Arumugam received his Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University.

His research focuses on quantum and atomic sensor technologies, particularly using Rydberg atoms for electric field sensing across a broad frequency spectrum—from DC to THz. He has led the development of compact, tunable Rydberg-based sensors for airborne platforms and bistatic radar systems using signals of opportunity. Dr. Arumugam is also pioneering the use of dissipative time crystal (DTC) dynamics in Rydberg vapors to realize ultra-sensitive detection of low-frequency electromagnetic fields, targeting the ELF, VLF, and SLF regimes for future applications in subsurface, and geophysical sensing. His work is opening new directions in reconfigurable quantum sensors with applications spanning Earth and Planetary science.

Education

Ph.D., Electrical & Computer Engineering (Focus area - Applied Physics)

Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 2012

Research Interests

Applied Physics with present focus in quantum and classical remote sensing or radar/radio sensors.

Quantum sensors: Atomic electric field sensors, Rydberg-state radio to millimeter-wave sensors, Rydberg based radar remote sensors, multi-photon combined laser-microwave systems, Rydberg dissipative time crystals, laser stabilization techniques, numerical techniques for steady-state and time dependent atomic systems, injection dynamics in Rydberg atoms.

Classical sensors: Radio-frequency and microwave sensors, positioning and localization systems, sub-surface and through-the-wall sensing and radars, including mobile and airborne radars, aperture coupled electromagnetics, quasistatic fields including electro- and magneto-quasi-statics, near field electromagnetics.

Experience

Research Community Service

Research Technologist, Radar Science and Engineering (334) Mar. 2016-Now

Leads an applied physics research group consisting of 4-6 staff engineers and technologist, 1-3 post-docs, and 2-4 full-time year-long Ph.D./graduate students per year. Mentored over 35 research faculty, post-docs, and students, and over 6 technical staff through directly supported research grants. At present, this group is actively engaged in advancing quantum and classical sensors for remote sensing applications. Research and technology efforts in this group is supported by research awards (of Darmindra Arumugam) as PI/Co-I of external (NASA and non-NASA) or internal JPL awards.

Research Group Advisor/Lead (within Section 334), Applied Physics Research and Technology, Sep. 2016-Now

Invented and formulated a wide range of novel sensors and techniques to include quantum radar receivers, classical radar or remote sensing concepts, and quasi-static sensor technologies. Invented and conceived of Rydberg radars and led efforts leading to multiple successful external and internal proposals (e.g., NASA NIAC Phase 1 and 2, NASA IIP, JPL SRTD), patent applications, and new technology reports. Continues to lead and contribute to large multi-agency proposal efforts (e.g. NSF (National Science Foundation) SWEEP) on the topic of atomic radars for Earth observation. Leading multiple key efforts on atomic remote sensing techniques. Routinely presents to JPL leadership (Deputy Director, Chief Technologist, Earth Science Chief Technologist, etc.). Routinely conducts demonstrations to key external VIP’s (e.g., OTPS – Office of Technology, Policy and Strategy). Routinely presents to external partners/leading agencies (Navy Leadership, DHS leadership, ARL, NIST, etc.).

Group Supervisor, Radar Formulation and Concepts, June 2018-Now

Acts as a group supervisor for ~18-25 staff, students, affiliates of the Radar Formulation and Concepts group (334G). Typical day-today responsibilities include: Maintain, drive, supervise and implements robust technical standards (e.g. publication reviews, work product reviews, etc.), and systems and processes based on NASA and JPL policies. Influence strategy and decisions of group members (technical and non-technical). Provides direction and support relevant to JPL internal processes and methods to best navigate institutional process.

Achievements

Awards & Recognitions

  • NASA Award | Voyager Award (2023)
  • NASA Award | For advancements of magnetic quasistatic sensors and application to remote sensing. | NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal (2019)
  • The Lew Allen Award for Excellence | For inventing and developing Active and Passive Magneto-Quasi-Static Positioning for long-range near-field positioning for non-line of sight environments (2015)
  • NASA Award | Voyager Award (2015)
  • NASA Award | Mariner Award (2014)

Publications

Journal Publications

Arumugam, D. (2025). Injection locking of Rydberg dissipative time crystals. arXiv. https://www.arxiv.org/abs/2504.16210. (In review at Nature Physics)

Arumugam, D. (2025). Stark-modulated Rydberg dissipative time crystals at room-temperature applied to sub-kHz electric-field sensing. arXiv. https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.08972 (In review at Nature Communications)

Arumugam, D. Electric-field sensing with driven-dissipative time crystals in room-temperature Rydberg vapor. Nature Sci Rep 15, 13446 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97560-9

Arumugam, D., Park, JH., Feyissa, B. et al. Remote sensing of soil moisture using Rydberg atoms and satellite signals of opportunity. Nature Sci Rep 14, 18025 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-68914-6 (Top 100 Articles in Nature Sci Rep in 2024)

T. A. Wilson, S. P. Mysore Nagaraja, S. Sherrit, D. Willey, A. Wildanger and D. D. Arumugam, "Pushing Piezoelectric Transmitters to the MHz Regime," in IEEE Open Journal of Antennas and Propagation, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 349-356, April 2025, doi: 10.1109/OJAP.2024.3454967.

D. D. Arumugam, P. Littlewood, N. Peng and D. Mishra, "Long-Range Through-the-Wall Magnetoquasistatic Coupling and Application to Indoor Position Sensing," in IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 507-511, March 2020, doi: 10.1109/LAWP.2020.2967069.

Y. Lei, M. S. Haynes, D. Arumugam and C. Elachi, "A 2-D Pseudospectral Time-Domain (PSTD) Simulator for Large-Scale Electromagnetic Scattering and Radar Sounding Applications," in IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, vol. 58, no. 6, pp. 4076-4098, June 2020, doi: 10.1109/TGRS.2019.2960751.

J. D. Bush, D. D. Arumugam and B. Feyissa, "Counter-Wound Normal-Mode Helical Antenna as an Electrically Small Electro-Quasi-Static Exciter," in IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 287-291, Feb. 2020, doi: 10.1109/LAWP.2019.2960228.

Stamenković, V., Beegle, L.W., Zacny, K., Arumugam D. et al. The next frontier for planetary and human exploration. Nature Astronomy, 116–120 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-018-0676-9

R. M. Beauchamp, D. Arumugam, et al., "Can Airborne Ground Penetrating Radars Explore Groundwater in Hyper-Arid Regions?," in IEEE Access, vol. 6, pp. 27736-27759, 2018, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2018.2840038.

M. Quadrelli, S. Basinger, D.D. Arumugam, G. Swartzlander, “Future Space Imaging with Granular Systems”, NASA Technical Journal, HQ-E-DAA-TN39899, 20170004834, Feb 01, 2017.

D.D. Arumugam, "Through-the-wall magnetoquasistatic ranging," IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, vol. 16, pp. 1439-1442, 2017. doi: 10.1109/LAWP.2016.2641421

V. Pasku, A. Angelis, G. Angelis, D.D. Arumugam, M. Dionigi, P. Carbone, A. Moschitta, D. Rickets,, "Magnetic Field-Based Positioning Systems," in IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 2003-2017, 2017. doi: 10.1109/COMST.2017.2684087

D.D. Arumugam, "Single-anchor 2D magnetoquasistatic position sensing for short to long ranges above ground," Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, IEEE, vol.PP, no.99, pp.1, 2016.

D.D. Arumugam, "Decoupled range and orientation sensing in long-range magnetoquasistatic positioning," Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, IEEE, vol.14, pp.654-657, 2015.

D.D. Arumugam, J.D. Griffin, D.D. Stancil, and D.S. Ricketts, Three-dimensional position and orientation measurements using magneto-quasistatic fields and complex image theory [measurements corner], Antennas and Propagation Magazine, IEEE , vol.56, no.1, pp.160,173, Feb. 2014.

D.D. Arumugam and D.S. Ricketts, Passive orientation measurement using magnetoquasistatic fields and coupled magnetic resonances, Electronic Letters, vol.49, no.16, pp.999,1001, Aug. 1 2013.

D.D. Arumugam, J.D. Griffin, D.D. Stancil, and D.S. Ricketts, Magnetoquasistatic Tracking of an American Football: A Goal Line Measurement, IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Magazine, vol.55, no.1, pp.138,146, Feb. 2013.

D.D. Arumugam and D.S. Ricketts, Passive Magnetoquasistatic Position Measurement using Coupled Magnetic Resonances, IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, vol.12, no., pp.539-542, 2013.

D.D. Arumugam, J.D. Griffin, D.D. Stancil, and D.S. Ricketts, Error Reduction in Magnetoquasistatic Positioning using Orthogonal Emitter Measurements, IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, Vol.11, pp.1-4, 2012.

D.D. Arumugam, D.D. Stancil, and D.S. Ricketts, Two-Dimensional Position Measurement using Magnetoquasistatic Fields, IEEE-APS Topical Conference on Antennas and Propagation in Wireless Communications (APWC), pp.1193-1196, Sept. 2011.

D.D. Arumugam, J.D. Griffin, and D.D. Stancil, Experimental Demonstration of Complex Image Theory and Application to Position Measurement, IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, Vol.10, pp.282-285, 2011.

P.V. Nikitin, D.D. Arumugam, M. Chabalko, B.E. Henty, and D.D. Stancil, Long Range Passive UHF RFID System using HVAC Ducts, Proceedings of the IEEE, vol.98, no.9, pp.1629-1635, Sept. 2010.

D.D. Arumugam, D.W. Engels, and M.H. Mickle, The Effect of Curvature on the Performance and Readability of Passive UHF RFID Tags, Applied Computational Electromagnetic Society (ACES) Journal, Special Issue on Computational and Experimental Techniques for RFID Sys., vol.25, no.3, pp.206-217, Mar. 2010.

D.D. Arumugam, A. Gautham, G. Narayanaswamy, N. Ayer, and D.W. Engels, Impact of Human Presence on the Read Zones of Passive UHF RFID Systems, International Journal of Radio Frequency Identification Technology and Applications, Vol. 2, No. 1 - 2, 2009, pp. 46 - 64.

D.D. Arumugam and D.W. Engels, Specific Absorption Rates in the Human Head and Shoulder for Passive UHF RFID Systems at 915 MHz, International Journal of Radio Frequency Identification Technology and Applications, Vol. 2, No. 1 - 2, 2009, pp. 1 - 26.

D.D. Arumugam and D.W. Engels, Specific Absorption Rates in the Human Head and Shoulder for Passive UHF RFID Systems at 915MHz, XXIX General Assembly of the International Union of Radio Science (URSI), vol.d01, no.8, August 2008. (invited)

D.D. Arumugam, V. Ambravaneswaran, A.A. Modi, and D.W. Engels, 2D localization using SAW-based RFID Systems: A single antenna approach, International Journal of Radio Frequency Identification Technology and Applications, Vol. 1, No. 4, 2007, pp. 417 - 438.

D.D. Arumugam and D.W. Engels, Characterisation of RF propagation in rectangular metal pipes for passive RFID systems, International Journal of Radio Frequency Identification Technology and Applications, Vol. 1, No. 4, 2007, pp. 345 - 362.

D.D. Arumugam and D.W. Engels, Characterisation of RF propagation in metal pipes for passive RFID systems, International Journal of Radio Frequency Identification Technology and Applications, Vol. 1, No. 3, 2007, pp. 303 - 343.

D.D. Arumugam, A.A. Modi, D.W. Engels, Environmental and performance analysis of SAW-based RFID systems, International Journal of Radio Frequency Identification Technology and Applications, Vol. 1, No. 2, 2007, pp. 203 - 235.