The response of an atom to external electric and magnetic fields can reveal fundamental atomic properties. It has long been verified that, in a static magnetic field, those atomic energy levels with hyperfine interactions shift according to the Breit-Rabi formula, which introduces nonlinear dependence on the magnetic field. On the other hand, the corresponding Breit-Rabi dependence on a static electric field has not been observed before due to a combination of experimental challenges. Here, we precisely measure the Stark shift of the [Formula: see text] transition of [Formula: see text]Yb ([Formula: see text] = 1/2) with cold atoms held by an optical dipole trap in a static electric field up to 120 kV/cm. We observe the electric Breit-Rabi effect displaying high-order ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) DC Stark shifts. These effects arise from the influence of the strong electric field on hyperfine interactions.The response of an atom to external electric and magnetic fields can reveal fundamental atomic properties. It has long been verified that, in a static magnetic field, those atomic energy levels with hyperfine interactions shift according to the Breit-Rabi formula, which introduces nonlinear dependence on the magnetic field. On the other hand, the corresponding Breit-Rabi dependence on a static electric field has not been observed before due to a combination of experimental challenges. Here, we precisely measure the Stark shift of the [Formula: see text] transition of [Formula: see text]Yb ([Formula: see text] = 1/2) with cold atoms held by an optical dipole trap in a static electric field up to 120 kV/cm. We observe the electric Breit-Rabi effect displaying high-order ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) DC Stark shifts. These effects arise from the influence of the strong electric field on hyperfine interactions.

arXiv:2507.08278Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesJun 27, 20250 citations

Atoms in electric and magnetic fields

Attilio Rigamonti, P. Carretta

UnitextJan 1, 20090 citations

Magnetic-field-induced splitting of Rydberg Electromagnetically Induced Transparency and Autler-Townes spectra in 87 Rb vapor cell

Xinheng Li, Yue Cui, Jianhai Hao +6 more

We theoretically and experimentally investigate the Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and Autler-Townes (AT) splitting of 87 Rb vapor under the combined influence of a magnetic field and a microwave field. In the presence of static magnetic field, the effect of the microwave field leads to the dressing and splitting of each m F state, resulting in multiple spectral peaks in the EIT-AT spectrum. A simplified analytical formula was developed to explain the EIT-AT spectrum in a static magnetic field, and the theoretical calculations agree qualitatively with experimental results. The Rydberg atom microwave electric field sensor performance was enhanced by making use of the splitting interval between the two maximum absolute m F states separated by the static magnetic field, which was attributed to the stronger Clebsch-Gordon coefficients between the extreme m F states and the frequency detuning of the microwave electric field under the static magnetic field. The traceable measurement limit of weak electric field by EIT-AT splitting method was extended by an order of magnitude, which is promising for precise microwave electric field measurement.We theoretically and experimentally investigate the Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and Autler-Townes (AT) splitting of 87 Rb vapor under the combined influence of a magnetic field and a microwave field. In the presence of static magnetic field, the effect of the microwave field leads to the dressing and splitting of each m F state, resulting in multiple spectral peaks in the EIT-AT spectrum. A simplified analytical formula was developed to explain the EIT-AT spectrum in a static magnetic field, and the theoretical calculations agree qualitatively with experimental results. The Rydberg atom microwave electric field sensor performance was enhanced by making use of the splitting interval between the two maximum absolute m F states separated by the static magnetic field, which was attributed to the stronger Clebsch-Gordon coefficients between the extreme m F states and the frequency detuning of the microwave electric field under the static magnetic field. The traceable measurement limit of weak electric field by EIT-AT splitting method was extended by an order of magnitude, which is promising for precise microwave electric field measurement.

Optics ExpressOct 17, 202324 citations

Atoms in electric and magnetic fields

Attilio Rigamonti, P. Carretta

UnitextJan 1, 20070 citations

Magnetic-field-induced splitting of Rydberg Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) and Autler-Townes (AT) spectra in $^{87}$ Rb vapor cellMagnetic-field-induced splitting of Rydberg Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) and Autler-Townes (AT) spectra in $^{87}$Rb vapor cell

Xinheng Li, Yue Cui, Jianhai Hao +5 more

We theoretically and experimentally investigate the Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and Autler-Townes (AT) splitting of $^{87}$ Rb vapor under the combined influence of a magnetic field and a microwave field. In the presence of static magnetic field, the effect of the microwave field leads to the dressing and splitting of each $m_F$ state, resulting in multiple spectral peaks in the EIT-AT spectrum. A simplified analytical formula was developed to explain the EIT-AT spectrum in a static magnetic field, and the calculations are in excellent agreement with experimental results.We further studied the enhancement of the Rydberg atom microwave electric field sensor performance by making use of the splitting interval between the two maximum absolute $m_F$ states under static magnetic field. The traceable measurement limit of weak electric field by EIT-AT splitting method was extended by an order of magnitude, which is promising for precise microwave electric field measurement.We theoretically and experimentally investigate the Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and Autler-Townes (AT) splitting of $^{87}$Rb vapor under the combined influence of a magnetic field and a microwave field. In the presence of static magnetic field, the effect of the microwave field leads to the dressing and splitting of each $m_F$ state, resulting in multiple spectral peaks in the EIT-AT spectrum. A simplified analytical formula was developed to explain the EIT-AT spectrum in a static magnetic field, and the calculations are in excellent agreement with experimental results.We further studied the enhancement of the Rydberg atom microwave electric field sensor performance by making use of the splitting interval between the two maximum absolute $m_F$ states under static magnetic field. The traceable measurement limit of weak electric field by EIT-AT splitting method was extended by an order of magnitude, which is promising for precise microwave electric field measurement.

arXiv:2306.13256Jun 23, 20230 citations

Magnetic-field-induced splitting of Rydberg Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) and Autler-Townes (AT) spectra in

^{87}

Rb vapor cell

We theoretically and experimentally investigate the Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and Autler-Townes (AT) splitting of

^{87}

Rb vapor under the combined influence of a magnetic field and a microwave field. In the presence of static magnetic field, the effect of the microwave field leads to the dressing and splitting of each

m_F

state, resulting in multiple spectral peaks in the EIT-AT spectrum. A simplified analytical formula was developed to explain the EIT-AT spectrum in a static magnetic field, and the calculations are in excellent agreement with experimental results.We further studied the enhancement of the Rydberg atom microwave electric field sensor performance by making use of the splitting interval between the two maximum absolute

m_F

states under static magnetic field. The traceable measurement limit of weak electric field by EIT-AT splitting method was extended by an order of magnitude, which is promising for precise microwave electric field measurement.