Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements

High-Intensity Electric Field Measurements with Rydberg Vapors

David Alexander Anderson, Georg A. Raithel

Published Jul 1, 2018• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Measurements of radio-frequency (RF) electric fields using EIT spectroscopy of Rydberg states in atomic vapors have garnered significant interest in recent years. Here we describe recent work extending the approach to measurements of high-intensity RF electric fields above 1 kV/m and continuous-frequency RF measurement capability.
DOI
10.1109/cpem.2018.8501180

Related papers

Measurements of High-Intensity Radio-Frequency Electric Fields with Rydberg Vapors

Georg A. Raithel, David Alexander Anderson

Measurements of radio-frequency (RF) electric fields in the MHz-to sub-THz range using EIT spectroscopy of Rydberg states in atomic vapors have garnered significant interest in recent years. Here we describe recent work extending the approach to measurements of coherent high-intensity RF electric fields above 1 kV/m and continuous-frequency RF measurement capability. The spectra are modeled using a non-perturbative Floquet model that accounts for higher-order interactions and state mixing. The spectroscopic data also reveal nonlinear amplifier behavior and noise.

Global Symposium on Millimeter-Waves•May 1, 2018•1 citation

Broadband Rydberg atom-based radio-frequency field sensor

Jiao Yue-Chun, Jianming Zhao, Jia Suo-Tang

Significant progress has been made in atom-based measurements of length, time, gravity and electromagnetic fields in recently years. Rydberg atom-based microwave electric field measurement, using electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in room temperature alkali-metal vapors, has been extensively investigated and aroused the broad interest. This approach may establish a new standard for the measurements of microwave (MW) and radio frequency (RF) electric fields.In this review, we describe the work on a new method of measuring electric fields based on quantum interference by using either cesium or rubidium atoms contained in a dielectric vapor cell. Rydberg atoms with principal quantum number n >>1 have large direct current (DC) polarizabilities and microwave transition dipole moments, thereby making them extremely sensitive to external electric fields. Using the Rydberg three-level EIT to detect the level splitting and shift that is induced by the external field, we can realize a rapid and robust self-calibration method of measuring the electric field in a frequency range from 0.01 GHz to 1000 GHz. For the MW electric field (frequency range > 1 GHz), the MW field causes the Rydberg states to split, known as an Autler-Townes splitting (A-T) effect when the applied microwave can resonate with adjacent Rydberg states. The MW coupled A-T splitting is proportional to the applied electric field strength, from which the field strength is measured. Using the EIT window, a high sensitivity of 3 μV·cm-1·Hz-1/2 and small electric field of 1 μV/cm are expected to be achieved with a modest setup, and the limitations of the sensitivity are also addressed in the review. For the RF field at frequency mj EIT lines, and avoided crossings formed with the fine-structure levels of equal mj and different J's, which is used to calibrate and measure the RF field amplitude. On the other hand, the dependence of the EIT-line strength on the RF field polarization provides a fast and robust polarization measurement of RF fields based on matching experimental data with a theoretical simulation. The measurements of minimum strengths and sensitivity of RF fields based on Rydberg atoms are one order magnitude below the values obtained by traditional antenna methods. The atom-based field measurement paves the way for determining fields through calibration-free, invariable atomic properties and miniaturization. We also propose its various potential applications in the future.

Acta Physica Sinica•Jan 1, 2018•7 citations

Atom-based RF electric field metrology above 100 GHz

Matthew T. Simons, Joshua A. Gordon, Christopher L. Holloway

Atom-based radio-frequency (RF) electric field probes have the potential to improve electric field measurements for a broad range of frequencies (from a few GHz to 100s of GHz) and field strengths (mV/m to kV/m). For these probes to become a common measurement method, their range must be extended to high frequency (>100 GHz) and low field strength regimes. We present SI-traceable electric field measurements of RF fields above 100 GHz, using Autler-Townes splitting of Rydberg electromagnetically-induced transparency in a rubidium (Rb) vapor. We also demonstrate several techniques, including RF detuning from resonance and enhanced absorption, for increasing the probe sensitivity.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Feb 25, 2016•4 citations

Atomic measurements of high-intensity VHF-band radio-frequency fields with a Rydberg vapor-cell detector

Éric Paradis, Georg A. Raithel, David Alexander Anderson

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 $30{D}_{J}$ and $35{D}_{J}$ 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 $1.0%$ and $1.5%$, 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.

Physical Review A•Jul 30, 2019•59 citations

Atom based RF electric field sensing

Haoquan Fan, Santosh Kumar, Jonathon A. Sedlacek +3 more

Atom-based measurements of length, time, gravity, inertial forces and electromagnetic fields are receiving increasing attention. Atoms possess properties that suggest clear advantages as self calibrating platforms for measurements of these quantities. In this review, we describe work on a new method for measuring radio frequency (RF) electric fields based on quantum interference using either Cs or Rb atoms contained in a dielectric vapor cell. Using a bright resonance prepared within an electromagnetically induced transparency window it is possible to achieve high sensitivities, <1 μ V cm −1 Hz −1/2 , and detect small RF electric fields μ V cm −1 with a modest setup. Some of the limitations of the sensitivity are addressed in the review. The method can be used to image RF electric fields and can be adapted to measure the vector electric field amplitude. Extensions of Rydberg atom-based electrometry for frequencies up to the terahertz regime are described.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Sep 9, 2015•375 citations

Atom-based power-frequency electric field measurement using the radio-frequency-modulated Rydberg spectroscopy

Weixin Liu, Linjie Zhang, Tao Wang

The radio-frequency modulated electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in a ladder three-level system with Rydberg state is studied. Under the influence of a fast radio-frequency field, the EIT peak splits into a series of sidebands. When attaching a power-frequency electric field directly to the fast radio-frequency field, the odd-order sidebands of the Rydberg-EIT oscillate sensitively with the power-frequency field. The oscillation frequency is equal to twice the power frequency; the oscillation amplitude is monotonically increasing with the amplitude of the power-frequency field when the change of Stark-shift is smaller than the radio frequency. Our work paves the way for measurement of power-frequency electric field based on Rydberg atoms.

Chinese Physics B•Nov 29, 2022•16 citations
Measurements of radio-frequency (RF) electric fields in the MHz-to sub-THz range using EIT spectroscopy of Rydberg states in atomic vapors have garnered significant interest in recent years. Here we describe recent work extending the approach to measurements of coherent high-intensity RF electric fields above 1 kV/m and continuous-frequency RF measurement capability. The spectra are modeled using a non-perturbative Floquet model that accounts for higher-order interactions and state mixing. The spectroscopic data also reveal nonlinear amplifier behavior and noise.
Significant progress has been made in atom-based measurements of length, time, gravity and electromagnetic fields in recently years. Rydberg atom-based microwave electric field measurement, using electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in room temperature alkali-metal vapors, has been extensively investigated and aroused the broad interest. This approach may establish a new standard for the measurements of microwave (MW) and radio frequency (RF) electric fields.In this review, we describe the work on a new method of measuring electric fields based on quantum interference by using either cesium or rubidium atoms contained in a dielectric vapor cell. Rydberg atoms with principal quantum number n >>1 have large direct current (DC) polarizabilities and microwave transition dipole moments, thereby making them extremely sensitive to external electric fields. Using the Rydberg three-level EIT to detect the level splitting and shift that is induced by the external field, we can realize a rapid and robust self-calibration method of measuring the electric field in a frequency range from 0.01 GHz to 1000 GHz. For the MW electric field (frequency range > 1 GHz), the MW field causes the Rydberg states to split, known as an Autler-Townes splitting (A-T) effect when the applied microwave can resonate with adjacent Rydberg states. The MW coupled A-T splitting is proportional to the applied electric field strength, from which the field strength is measured. Using the EIT window, a high sensitivity of 3 μV·cm-1·Hz-1/2 and small electric field of 1 μV/cm are expected to be achieved with a modest setup, and the limitations of the sensitivity are also addressed in the review. For the RF field at frequency mj EIT lines, and avoided crossings formed with the fine-structure levels of equal mj and different J's, which is used to calibrate and measure the RF field amplitude. On the other hand, the dependence of the EIT-line strength on the RF field polarization provides a fast and robust polarization measurement of RF fields based on matching experimental data with a theoretical simulation. The measurements of minimum strengths and sensitivity of RF fields based on Rydberg atoms are one order magnitude below the values obtained by traditional antenna methods. The atom-based field measurement paves the way for determining fields through calibration-free, invariable atomic properties and miniaturization. We also propose its various potential applications in the future.
Atom-based radio-frequency (RF) electric field probes have the potential to improve electric field measurements for a broad range of frequencies (from a few GHz to 100s of GHz) and field strengths (mV/m to kV/m). For these probes to become a common measurement method, their range must be extended to high frequency (>100 GHz) and low field strength regimes. We present SI-traceable electric field measurements of RF fields above 100 GHz, using Autler-Townes splitting of Rydberg electromagnetically-induced transparency in a rubidium (Rb) vapor. We also demonstrate several techniques, including RF detuning from resonance and enhanced absorption, for increasing the probe sensitivity.
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.
Atom-based measurements of length, time, gravity, inertial forces and electromagnetic fields are receiving increasing attention. Atoms possess properties that suggest clear advantages as self calibrating platforms for measurements of these quantities. In this review, we describe work on a new method for measuring radio frequency (RF) electric fields based on quantum interference using either Cs or Rb atoms contained in a dielectric vapor cell. Using a bright resonance prepared within an electromagnetically induced transparency window it is possible to achieve high sensitivities, <1 μ V cm −1 Hz −1/2 , and detect small RF electric fields μ V cm −1 with a modest setup. Some of the limitations of the sensitivity are addressed in the review. The method can be used to image RF electric fields and can be adapted to measure the vector electric field amplitude. Extensions of Rydberg atom-based electrometry for frequencies up to the terahertz regime are described.
The radio-frequency modulated electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in a ladder three-level system with Rydberg state is studied. Under the influence of a fast radio-frequency field, the EIT peak splits into a series of sidebands. When attaching a power-frequency electric field directly to the fast radio-frequency field, the odd-order sidebands of the Rydberg-EIT oscillate sensitively with the power-frequency field. The oscillation frequency is equal to twice the power frequency; the oscillation amplitude is monotonically increasing with the amplitude of the power-frequency field when the change of Stark-shift is smaller than the radio frequency. Our work paves the way for measurement of power-frequency electric field based on Rydberg atoms.