We measure strong radio-frequency (RF) electric fields using rubidium Rydberg atoms prepared in a room-temperature vapor cell as field sensors. Electromagnetically induced transparency is employed as an optical readout. We RF-modulate the and Rydberg states with 50 and 100 MHz fields, respectively. For weak to moderate RF fields, the Rydberg levels become Stark-shifted, and sidebands appear at even multiples of the driving frequency. In high fields, the adjacent hydrogenic manifold begins to intersect the shifted levels, providing rich spectroscopic structure suitable for precision field measurements. A quantitative description of strong-field level modulation and mixing of S and D states with hydrogenic states is provided by Floquet theory. Additionally, we estimate the shielding of DC electric fields in the interior of the glass vapor cell.We measure strong radio-frequency (RF) electric fields using rubidium Rydberg atoms prepared in a room-temperature vapor cell as field sensors. Electromagnetically induced transparency is employed as an optical readout. We RF-modulate the and Rydberg states with 50 and 100 MHz fields, respectively. For weak to moderate RF fields, the Rydberg levels become Stark-shifted, and sidebands appear at even multiples of the driving frequency. In high fields, the adjacent hydrogenic manifold begins to intersect the shifted levels, providing rich spectroscopic structure suitable for precision field measurements. A quantitative description of strong-field level modulation and mixing of S and D states with hydrogenic states is provided by Floquet theory. Additionally, we estimate the shielding of DC electric fields in the interior of the glass vapor cell.

arXiv:1601.06840New Journal of PhysicsMay 9, 201674 citations

On the Energy Level Shifts of Atoms due to the Interaction between the Electron and the Electromagnetic Field

Osamu Hara, T. Tokano

Progress of Theoretical PhysicsAug 1, 19502 citations

Proposal for Measuring Lamb Shifts by the Study of Modulated, Fluorescent Light

George William Series

A method is proposed for measuring the interval between two atomic energy levels of different parity. The method is related to optical radio-frequency double resonance and level-crossing experiments in that the behavior of atoms in excited states is deduced from observations of the fluorescent light. In contrast with the oscillating electric field ordinarily used to stimulate transitions between states of opposite parity, a small, static electric field is required. The rate at which atoms are excited is required to be modulated; consequently, the fluorescent light will be modulated. The amplitude of modulation will depend on the parameters. A general expression is derived. Two cases are of particular interest: (1) A resonance effect is predicted if the frequency of modulation matches the interval between the perturbed levels. This effect could best be studied for frequencies much greater than the combined natural widths of the levels. (2) For frequencies smaller than the natural width, a level-crossing effect is predicted whose peak occurs at the point of intersection of the unperturbed levels. The method might be applied to measure intervals between the $2s$ and $2p$ levels in hydrogen. Estimates are given of the required fields and frequencies.A method is proposed for measuring the interval between two atomic energy levels of different parity. The method is related to optical radio-frequency double resonance and level-crossing experiments in that the behavior of atoms in excited states is deduced from observations of the fluorescent light. In contrast with the oscillating electric field ordinarily used to stimulate transitions between states of opposite parity, a small, static electric field is required. The rate at which atoms are excited is required to be modulated; consequently, the fluorescent light will be modulated. The amplitude of modulation will depend on the parameters. A general expression is derived. Two cases are of particular interest: (1) A resonance effect is predicted if the frequency of modulation matches the interval between the perturbed levels. This effect could best be studied for frequencies much greater than the combined natural widths of the levels. (2) For frequencies smaller than the natural width, a level-crossing effect is predicted whose peak occurs at the point of intersection of the unperturbed levels. The method might be applied to measure intervals between the $2s$ and $2p$ levels in hydrogen. Estimates are given of the required fields and frequencies.

Physical ReviewNov 2, 196444 citations

Shift and Splitting of Atomic Energy Levels by the Field of an Electromagnetic Wave

V. I. Ritus

Journal of Experimental and Theoretical PhysicsMay 1, 196725 citations

The interaction of a system of two-level atoms with the electromagnetic field

Luigi A. Lugiato, Franco Prati, Massimo Brambilla

Cambridge University Press eBooksFeb 28, 20150 citations

Sensitive detection of radio-frequency field phase with interacting dark states in Rydberg atoms

Lidan Lin, Yuan He, Zheng Yin +5 more

An efficient scheme of phase measurement of a radio-frequency (RF) field is proposed by interacting dark states. Under the condition of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), the four-level Rydberg atom exhibits two windows. Compared with the transmission spectrum on resonance, the linewidths of absorption peaks off resonance are very narrow due to the interaction of double dark states. It is interesting to find that the distance of absorption peaks shifts approximately linearly with the phase of an RF field, which can be used to measure the RF field phase. Simulation results show that the linewidth of an absorption peak can be narrowed by more than one order of magnitude, and a narrow linewidth improves the detectable minimum phase difference by more than six times. It helps to reduce analyzation complexity and increase sensing resilience. The dependence of phase measurement on the control field and RF field is also investigated.An efficient scheme of phase measurement of a radio-frequency (RF) field is proposed by interacting dark states. Under the condition of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), the four-level Rydberg atom exhibits two windows. Compared with the transmission spectrum on resonance, the linewidths of absorption peaks off resonance are very narrow due to the interaction of double dark states. It is interesting to find that the distance of absorption peaks shifts approximately linearly with the phase of an RF field, which can be used to measure the RF field phase. Simulation results show that the linewidth of an absorption peak can be narrowed by more than one order of magnitude, and a narrow linewidth improves the detectable minimum phase difference by more than six times. It helps to reduce analyzation complexity and increase sensing resilience. The dependence of phase measurement on the control field and RF field is also investigated.

Applied OpticsJan 18, 20225 citations

2s

and

2p

levels in hydrogen. Estimates are given of the required fields and frequencies.