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arXiv:2502.07018 · AVS Quantum Science

Imaging of induced surface charge distribution effects in glass vapor cells used for Rydberg atom-based sensors

Link Patrick, Noah Schlossberger, Daniel Hammerland, Nikunjkumar Prajapati, Tate McDonald, Samuel Berweger, Rajavardhan Talashila, Alexandra B. Artusio‐Glimpse, Christopher L. Holloway

Published Jun 1, 2025• 18 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We demonstrate the imaging of localized surface electric (E) field effects on the atomic spectrum in a vapor cell used in Rydberg atom-based sensors. These surface E-fields can result from an induced electric charge distribution on the surface. Induced surface charge distributions can dramatically perturb the atomic spectrum, hence degrading the ability to perform electrometry. These effects become pronounced near the walls of the vapor cell, posing challenges for vapor cell miniaturization. Using a fluorescence imaging technique, we investigate the effects of surface charge on the atomic spectrum generated with electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). Our results reveal that visible light (480 and 511 nm), i.e., the coupling laser used in two-photon Rydberg EIT schemes, generates localized patches of charge or dipoles where this light interacts with the glass walls of the vapor cell, while a three-photon Rydberg EIT scheme using only near-infrared wavelength lasers shows no measurable field induction. Additionally, imaging in a vacuum chamber where a glass plate is placed between large electrodes confirms that the induced charge is positive. We further validate these findings by studying the photoelectric effect with broadband light during EIT and impedance measurements. These results demonstrate the power of the fluorescence imaging technique to study localized E-field distributions in vapor cells and to target the photoelectric effect of the alkali-exposed glass of vapor cells as a major disruptor in Rydberg atom-based sensors.

DOI
10.1116/5.0264378

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We discuss a fundamentally new method for electric (E) field strength (V/m) metrology applicable to the near-field. This new approach is significantly different from currently used field measurement techniques in that it is based on the interaction of radio-frequency (RF) E-fields with Rydberg atoms (alkali atoms placed in a glass vapor cell that are excited optically to Rydberg states). The applied RF E-field alters the state of the atoms. The Rydberg atoms act like an RF-to-optical transducer, converting an RF E-field strength to an optical-frequency response. In this new approach, we employ the phenomena of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and Autler-Townes splitting. The RF transition in the four-level atomic system causes a split of the EIT transmission spectrum of a probe laser into two peaks. This splitting is easily measured and is directly proportional to the applied RF E-field amplitude. The significant dipole response of Rydberg atoms enables this technique to make self-calibrating measurements over a large frequency band including 500 MHz to 500 GHz (and possibly up to 1 THz and down to 10s of megahertz). In this paper, we report on our results in the development of this metrology approach, including the first fiber-coupled vapor-cell for E-field measurements. We also discuss key applications, including self-calibrated measurements, millimeter-wave and sub-THz measurements, field mapping, and sub-wavelength and near-field imaging. We show results for mapping the fields inside vapor cells, for measuring the E-field distribution along the surface of a circuit board, and for measuring the near-field at the aperture in a cavity. We also discuss the uncertainties of this measurement technique.

IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility•Jan 10, 2017•158 citations
We demonstrate the imaging of localized surface electric (E) field effects on the atomic spectrum in a vapor cell used in Rydberg atom-based sensors. These surface E-fields can result from an induced electric charge distribution on the surface. Induced surface charge distributions can dramatically perturb the atomic spectrum, hence degrading the ability to perform electrometry. These effects become pronounced near the walls of the vapor cell, posing challenges for vapor cell miniaturization. Using a fluorescence imaging technique, we investigate the effects of surface charge on the atomic spectrum generated with electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). Our results reveal that visible light (480 and 511 nm), i.e., the coupling laser used in two-photon Rydberg EIT schemes, generates localized patches of charge or dipoles where this light interacts with the glass walls of the vapor cell, while a three-photon Rydberg EIT scheme using only near-infrared wavelength lasers shows no measurable field induction. Additionally, imaging in a vacuum chamber where a glass plate is placed between large electrodes confirms that the induced charge is positive. We further validate these findings by studying the photoelectric effect with broadband light during EIT and impedance measurements. These results demonstrate the power of the fluorescence imaging technique to study localized E-field distributions in vapor cells and to target the photoelectric effect of the alkali-exposed glass of vapor cells as a major disruptor in Rydberg atom-based sensors.
We demonstrate laser induced DC electric fields in an all-glass vapor cell without bulk or thin film electrodes. The spatial field distribution is mapped by Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) spectroscopy. The fields are generated by a photoelectric effect and allow DC electric field tuning of up to 0.8 V/cm within the Rydberg EIT probe region. We explain the measured with a boundary-value electrostatic model. This work may inspire new approaches for DC electric field control in designing miniaturized atomic vapor cell devices. Limitations and other charge effects are also discussed.
Rydberg-assisted atomic electrometry with thermal vapors offers a promising approach for detecting external electric fields. However, this technique presents significant challenges for measuring low frequencies due to the effects of metal-alkali atoms adsorbed on the interior surface of the vacuum chamber. In this work, we apply high-contrast Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) spectroscopy to systematically investigate these effects, including the influence of laser power and electric field strength. We demonstrate the ability to measure electric field frequencies ranging from 10 Hz to 1 MHz. Additionally, this study identifies a fundamental limit for data capacity in such measurements. Furthermore, we propose a method for precise Stark shift measurements by locking the coupling laser to Zeeman-split Rydberg EIT peaks. Using the Zeeman shift in a reference cell as a stable frequency reference, we are able to track Stark-induced shifts in a science cell and confirm excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. These results provide valuable insights for future precision measurement techniques and field sensing applications based on Rydberg atom systems.
In Rydberg quantum electric field sensing, the amplitude and linewidth of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) spectra significantly impact the accuracy of electric field measurements. This paper discusses the influence of atomic density on the amplitude and linewidth of EIT spectra in a vapor cell within a three-level ladder system driven by two-photon excitation. Due to the adsorption of alkali metal atoms on the inner surface of the vapor cell, the study utilizes light-induced atomic desorption effects to regulate the atomic density using LED light. This approach, combined with probe and coupling lasers, results in the formation of high-amplitude, low-linewidth EIT spectra. Based on the Rydberg atom sensing measurement system constructed in this study, when the number of atoms per cubic meter is less than 1.5×10 24 , a decrease in the optical depth at the bottom of the EIT leads to a reduction in amplitude and an increase in linewidth. When the number of atoms per cubic meter exceeds 4×10 24 , a decrease in the peak value at the top of the EIT results in a reduction in amplitude, with a slight decrease in linewidth. By adjusting the atomic density within the vapor cell through the power of desorption light and optimizing the laser Rabi frequency parameters, the atomic number density is maintained between 1.5×10 24 and 4×10 24 per cubic meter, yielding high-amplitude, low-linewidth EIT spectra. Additionally, the influence of introducing 365 nm desorption light on the accuracy of the constructed electric field measurement system is analyzed and corrected.
Imaging of electric and magnetic fields is limited by the fact that conventional field probes rely on conductive elements that perturb the fields they are meant to measure and require either spatial scanning or arrays to produce field maps. Atomic sensors based on Rydberg states offer a minimally invasive and broadband alternative, enabling absolute field measurements without external calibration. In this work, we present a field imaging technique that combines the spatial resolution of planar laser-induced fluorescence-dip spectroscopy with the field sensitivity and spectral resolution of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) using Rydberg states of atomic vapor. By imaging the change in fluorescence due to EIT, we spatially resolve the field-induced shifts in atomic energy levels, enabling the imaging of arbitrary electric field distributions from MHz to tens of GHz at the ∼V/cm level and static magnetic fields at the ∼mT level. We also image resonant microwave electric fields at the ∼5 mV/cm level. This technique achieves a spatial resolution of 160 µm, limited by our camera, with a fundamental resolution limit near 5 µm.
Abstract The measurement of Rydberg atoms in low-frequency electric fields is hindered due to the shielding effect of the vapor cell against low-frequency electric fields. This study analyzes the electric field shielding effect of Vapor Cell in Rydberg atom electric field sensors, which arises primarily from the polarization charges generated in dielectric materials under electric field influence, as well as the reduced surface resistivity caused by the adsorption of alkali metal atoms on the inner surfaces of the vapor cell. To investigate the electric field shielding resulting from the dielectric materials, we utilized finite element simulation software for analysis and normalized the influencing factors. For the shielding associated with reduced surface resistivity, we measured the electric field transmission coefficients of SiO2 in the 0–60 MHz range using the Stark effect of Rydberg atoms. Additionally, we combined finite element simulations with molecular dynamics analysis software to quantitatively and qualitatively assess the properties of the SiO2 surface after cesium atom adsorption. Building on this foundation, we conducted a simulation analysis of vapor cell made from CaF2. Our results indicate that after cesium atom adsorption, CaF2 retains excellent insulating properties, with a surface resistivity exceeding 1 × 1012 Ω/sq, making it suitable for electric field measurements in the tens of Hz range. Furthermore, we examined the influence of laser transmittance in Vapor Cell on the peak of electromagnetically induced transparency. We measured the laser transmittance of SiO2 and Al2O3 vapor cells and compared these values to the calculated laser transmittance of CaF2. The results revealed that CaF2 exhibits slightly higher laser transmittance than SiO2, demonstrating favorable optical characteristics for use in optical systems. In summary, this research provides significant theoretical insights and experimental support for enhancing the performance of Rydberg atom electric field sensors.
We discuss a fundamentally new method for electric (E) field strength (V/m) metrology applicable to the near-field. This new approach is significantly different from currently used field measurement techniques in that it is based on the interaction of radio-frequency (RF) E-fields with Rydberg atoms (alkali atoms placed in a glass vapor cell that are excited optically to Rydberg states). The applied RF E-field alters the state of the atoms. The Rydberg atoms act like an RF-to-optical transducer, converting an RF E-field strength to an optical-frequency response. In this new approach, we employ the phenomena of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and Autler-Townes splitting. The RF transition in the four-level atomic system causes a split of the EIT transmission spectrum of a probe laser into two peaks. This splitting is easily measured and is directly proportional to the applied RF E-field amplitude. The significant dipole response of Rydberg atoms enables this technique to make self-calibrating measurements over a large frequency band including 500 MHz to 500 GHz (and possibly up to 1 THz and down to 10s of megahertz). In this paper, we report on our results in the development of this metrology approach, including the first fiber-coupled vapor-cell for E-field measurements. We also discuss key applications, including self-calibrated measurements, millimeter-wave and sub-THz measurements, field mapping, and sub-wavelength and near-field imaging. We show results for mapping the fields inside vapor cells, for measuring the E-field distribution along the surface of a circuit board, and for measuring the near-field at the aperture in a cavity. We also discuss the uncertainties of this measurement technique.