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arXiv:2610.40952

Characteristics of VHF and UHF band detection using Stark shifting in Rydberg-atom sensors

Rajavardhan Talashila, Noah Schlossberger, David S. La Mantia, Abby Halasi-Kun, Baran Kayim, Michael A. Viray, Robert Wyllie, Christopher L. Holloway, Nikunjkumar Prajapati

physics.atom-phphysics.opticsquant-phSubmitted Oct 29, 2026• Announced Nov 2, 2026
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Abstract

We present a characterization of the sensitivity of broadband electric field measurements in the Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) bands using AC stark shifting of Rydberg states. The dependence of the sensitivity and dynamic range of the field measurements using nD5/2 states of cesium for principal quantum numbers n= 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 is presented, detailing the intricacies involved. The frequencies considered for the measurement range from 50 MHz to 900 MHz for which a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) cell is used to excite the Rydberg atoms with the RF fields. The corresponding sensitivities achieved are in the $(μV/m)/\sqrt{Hz}$ range. A general trend of better sensitivity for higher principal quantum numbers is observed. This work paves the way for a better understanding of the AC Stark dependent field measurements using Rydberg sensors.

AI Summary

The paper characterizes how principal quantum number affects sensitivity, calibration, and dynamic range in broadband Rydberg-atom RF sensing based on AC Stark shifts rather than resonant Autler–Townes splitting. It studies cesium $nD_{5/2}$ states with $n=60,70,80,90,100$ over 50–900 MHz using two-photon EIT in a vapor cell inside a transverse-electromagnetic cell. Applied fields are calibrated by fitting state-dependent Stark shifts using calculated polarizabilities. Sensitivity measurements use an RF local oscillator and a signal offset by 200 kHz, with local-oscillator power and coupling-laser detuning optimized for maximum optical beat-note amplitude. Minimum detectable fields are inferred from the intersection of the signal response with the measured noise floor and normalized by the square root of the 1 kHz resolution bandwidth; measurements are repeated five times. ARC polarizability and Floquet calculations support interpretation of resonances and spectral shifts. Reported sensitivities are in the $\mu\mathrm{V}\,\mathrm{m}^{-1}/\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$ range, generally improving with increasing $n$, with $n=100$ giving the best sensitivity. At 200 MHz, dynamic range decreases from approximately 60 dB at lower $n$ to 40 dB at higher $n$. Calibration factors generally agree across states, with deviations below 5% near resonant features. The reported sensitivities are local-field sensitivities. Nearby transitions and avoided crossings complicate high-$n$ operation and require appropriate laser lockpoints. Field-induced broadening limits useful local-oscillator strength; available coupling-laser power and TEM-cell frequency coverage also constrain the measurements. The quantum-number dependence of the noise floor remains unresolved.

Little sign of AI-generated textIncrementalMissing comparisonPossible error

Error found: The displayed calibration-factor equation incorrectly places the polarizability outside the square root: the preceding Stark relation instead requires E/√P_in = √[−2Δf/(αP_in)], although whether this error affected the reported measurements is not established.

Written by gpt-6.1-sol from the paper's full text. Automated: it can be wrong.

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We present a characterization of the sensitivity of broadband electric field measurements in the Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) bands using AC stark shifting of Rydberg states. The dependence of the sensitivity and dynamic range of the field measurements using nD5/2 states of cesium for principal quantum numbers n= 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 is presented, detailing the intricacies involved. The frequencies considered for the measurement range from 50 MHz to 900 MHz for which a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) cell is used to excite the Rydberg atoms with the RF fields. The corresponding sensitivities achieved are in the (μV/m)/Hz(μV/m)/\sqrt{Hz}(μV/m)/Hz​ range. A general trend of better sensitivity for higher principal quantum numbers is observed. This work paves the way for a better understanding of the AC Stark dependent field measurements using Rydberg sensors.
The paper characterizes how principal quantum number affects sensitivity, calibration, and dynamic range in broadband Rydberg-atom RF sensing based on AC Stark shifts rather than resonant Autler–Townes splitting. It studies cesium nD5/2nD_{5/2}nD5/2​ states with n=60,70,80,90,100n=60,70,80,90,100n=60,70,80,90,100 over 50–900 MHz using two-photon EIT in a vapor cell inside a transverse-electromagnetic cell.
Applied fields are calibrated by fitting state-dependent Stark shifts using calculated polarizabilities. Sensitivity measurements use an RF local oscillator and a signal offset by 200 kHz, with local-oscillator power and coupling-laser detuning optimized for maximum optical beat-note amplitude. Minimum detectable fields are inferred from the intersection of the signal response with the measured noise floor and normalized by the square root of the 1 kHz resolution bandwidth; measurements are repeated five times. ARC polarizability and Floquet calculations support interpretation of resonances and spectral shifts.
Reported sensitivities are in the μV m−1/Hz\mu\mathrm{V}\,\mathrm{m}^{-1}/\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}μVm−1/Hz​ range, generally improving with increasing nnn, with n=100n=100n=100 giving the best sensitivity. At 200 MHz, dynamic range decreases from approximately 60 dB at lower nnn to 40 dB at higher nnn. Calibration factors generally agree across states, with deviations below 5% near resonant features.
The reported sensitivities are local-field sensitivities. Nearby transitions and avoided crossings complicate high-nnn operation and require appropriate laser lockpoints. Field-induced broadening limits useful local-oscillator strength; available coupling-laser power and TEM-cell frequency coverage also constrain the measurements. The quantum-number dependence of the noise floor remains unresolved.
We demonstrate the continuous broadband microwave receivers based on AC Stark shifts and Floquet states of Rydberg levels in a cesium atomic vapor cell. The resonant transition frequency of two adjacent Rydberg states 78 S1/2 and 78 P1/2 is tuned based on AC Stark effect of 70 MHz radio frequency (RF) field that is applied outside the vapor cell. The use of the j=1/2 Rydberg states ensures that only a single mj sublevel is involved. The generated Rydberg Floquet states act to enhance the sensitivity of the AC-Stark-tuned states when the frequency is matched and further extend the bandwidths. We achieve microwave field measurements with over 1.172 GHz continuous frequency tuning and a sensitivity ranging from 280.2 nVcm−1Hz−1/2 to 14.6 μ Vcm−1Hz−1/2. The achieving of continuous frequency and high sensitivity microwave detection will promote the application of Rydberg receivers in the radar technique and wireless communication.
We investigate and employ optical Rydberg resonances in an atomic vapor cell for measurements of high-intensity VHF-band radio frequency (rf) electric fields. An atomic vapor cell with integrated electrodes is used to generate high-intensity 50--500 MHz rf electric fields reaching $\ensuremath{\sim}5$ kV/m in a submillimeter gap. The fields are measured using Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency as an optical readout of field-sensitive 30DJ30{D}_{J}30DJ​ and 35DJ35{D}_{J}35DJ​ Rydberg states of atoms within the gap. The rf electric field is determined by matching observed spectroscopic markers, including ac level shifts, even-harmonic rf sidebands, and rf-induced avoided crossings in the Rydberg manifold to calculated spectra derived from a nonperturbative Floquet theory. In our measurements, rf field frequencies and electric-field amplitudes are determined to an accuracy of 1.01.0%1.0 and 1.51.5%1.5, respectively. In the atom-field interaction, we observe a transition from a quantum regime, characterized by discrete even-harmonic Floquet states separated by an even multiple of the rf field frequency, into a semiclassical regime at very strong fields, in which the spectrum exhibits unresolved resonances whose strengths are smoothly modulated at a frequency of approximately five times the rf frequency. The underlying physics is explored.
We demonstrate the measurement of super low-frequency electric field using Rydberg atoms in an atomic vapor cell with inside parallel electrodes, thus overcoming the low-frequency electric-field-screening effect at frequencies below a few kHz. Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) spectra involving 52 D 5/2 state is employed to measure the signal electric field. An auxiliary DC field is applied to improve the sensitivity. A DC Stark map is demonstrated, where the utilized 52 D 5/2 exhibits m j = 1/2, 3/2, 5/2 Stark shifts and splittings. The m j = 1/2 state is employed to detect the signal field because of its larger polarizability than that of m j = 3/2, 5/2. Also, we show that the strength of the spectrum is dependent on the angle between the laser polarizations and the electric field. With optimization of the applied DC field to shift the m j = 1/2 Rydberg energy level to a high sensitivity region and the laser polarizations to obtain the maximum m j = 1/2 signal, we achieve the detection of the signal electric field with a frequency of 100 Hz down to 214.8 µ V/cm with a sensitivity of 67.9 µ V cm −1 Hz −1/2 , and the linear dynamic range is over 37 dB. Our work extends the measurement frequency of Rydberg sensors to super low frequency with high sensitivity, which has the advantages of high sensitivity and miniaturization for receiving super low frequency.
On-resonance Rydberg atom-based radio-frequency (RF) electric field sensing methods remain limited by the narrow frequency signal detection bands available by resonant transitions. The use of an additional RF tuner field to dress or shift a target Rydberg state can be used to return a detuned signal field to resonance and thus dramatically extend the frequency range available for resonant sensing. Here we investigate three distinct tuning level schemes based on adjacent Rydberg transitions, which are shown to have distinct characteristics and can be controlled with mechanisms based on the tuning field frequency or field strength. We further show that a two-photon Raman feature can be used as an effective tuning mechanism separate from conventional Autler-Townes splitting. We compare our tuning schemes to AC Stark effect-based broadband RF field sensing and show that although the sensitivity is diminished as we tune away from a resonant state, it nevertheless can be used in configurations where there is a low density of Rydberg states, which would result in a weak AC Stark effect.
Rydberg atoms are neutral atoms excited to high principal quantum number states, which endows them with exaggerated properties such as large electric dipole moments, long lifetimes, and extreme sensitivity to external electromagnetic fields. These characteristics form the foundation of Rydberg atom-based sensors, an emerging class of quantum devices capable of optically detecting electric fields across frequencies from DC to the terahertz regime. Rydberg-based electrometry operates through both Autler–Townes (AT) splitting of resonant Rydberg transitions and Stark-shift measurements for high-frequency or far-detuned fields, enabling broadband field sensing from DC to the THz regime. Using ladder-type electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and AT splitting, these sensors enable non-invasive, SI-traceable measurements of field amplitude, frequency, phase, and polarization. Recent developments have demonstrated broadband electric field probes, voltage calibration standards, and compact RF receivers based on thermal vapor cells and integrated photonic architectures. Furthermore, innovations in multi-photon EIT, superheterodyne readout, and multi wave mixing have expanded the dynamic range and bandwidth of Rydberg-based electrometry. Despite challenges related to environmental perturbations, linewidth broadening, and laser stabilization, ongoing advances in atomic control, hybrid photonic integration, and EIT-based readout promise scalable, chip-compatible sensors. This review summarizes the physical principles, experimental progress, and emerging applications of Rydberg atom-based sensing, emphasizing their potential for next generation quantum metrology, wireless communication, and precision field mapping.
We present a Rydberg-Atom electric field sensor optimized to detect signals at sub-100 MHz carrier frequencies. The sensing setup employs a sapphire vapor cell that allows for detection of signals below 100 MHz-typical vapor cells made of glass or quartz demonstrate strong screening of radio frequency (RF) signals in this frequency regime. Applied signals are detected by observing AC Stark shifts in the atomic vapor energy levels. As a test case for the commercial utility of this receiver, we perform our tests at several carrier frequencies in the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band. At each carrier frequency, we report sensitivity, minimum detectable field, and detectable electric-field dynamic range. We also present a routine for optimizing off-resonant signal detection by tuning experimental parameters such as Rydberg coupler laser detuning and RF local oscillator strength. This Python-based optimization routine, which can be used at any off-resonant carrier frequency, is shared on GitHub for others to use in their own investigations.