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Physical Review Applied

Origins of Rydberg-Atom Electrometer Transient Response and Its Impact on Radio-Frequency Pulse Sensing

Stephanie M. Bohaichuk, Donald W. Booth, Kent A. Nickerson, Harry Tai, James P. Shaffer

Published Sep 13, 2022• 70 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Rydberg atoms show significant promise as the basis for highly sensitive detectors of continuous radio-frequency (rf) electric fields (E fields). Here, we study their time-dependent response to pulse-modulated rf E fields at 19.4 GHz using a cesium vapor cell at room temperature. We use density-matrix simulations to explain the timescales that shape the transient atomic response under different laser conditions, finding them to be limited by dephasing mechanisms, including transit-time broadening, Rydberg-Rydberg collisions, and ionization. Using a matched filter, we demonstrate the detection of individual pulses with durations from 10 \textmu{}s down to 50 ns and amplitudes from 15 000 \textmu{}V ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ down to about 170 \textmu{}V ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, corresponding to a sensitivity of about 240 nV ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ ${\mathrm{Hz}}^{\ensuremath{-}1/2}$. Finally, we highlight the potential of a Rydberg vapor cell as a receiver by detecting pulse trains from a rotating emitter on a simulated passing aircraft.

DOI
10.1103/physrevapplied.18.034030

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Rydberg atoms show significant promise as the basis for highly sensitive detectors of continuous radio-frequency (rf) electric fields (E fields). Here, we study their time-dependent response to pulse-modulated rf E fields at 19.4 GHz using a cesium vapor cell at room temperature. We use density-matrix simulations to explain the timescales that shape the transient atomic response under different laser conditions, finding them to be limited by dephasing mechanisms, including transit-time broadening, Rydberg-Rydberg collisions, and ionization. Using a matched filter, we demonstrate the detection of individual pulses with durations from 10 \textmu{}s down to 50 ns and amplitudes from 15 000 \textmu{}V cm\ensuremath−1{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}cm\ensuremath−1 down to about 170 \textmu{}V cm\ensuremath−1{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}cm\ensuremath−1, corresponding to a sensitivity of about 240 nV cm\ensuremath−1{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}cm\ensuremath−1 Hz\ensuremath−1/2{\mathrm{Hz}}^{\ensuremath{-}1/2}Hz\ensuremath−1/2. Finally, we highlight the potential of a Rydberg vapor cell as a receiver by detecting pulse trains from a rotating emitter on a simulated passing aircraft.
Rydberg atoms have shown significant promise as the basis for highly sensitive detectors of continuous radio-frequency (RF) E-fields. Here, we study their time-dependent response to pulse-modulated RF E-fields at 19.4 GHz using a cesium vapour cell at room temperature. We use density matrix simulations to explain the time scales that shape the transient atomic response under different laser conditions, finding them to be limited by dephasing mechanisms including transit time broadening, Rydberg-Rydberg collisions, and ionization. Using a matched filter, we demonstrate the detection of individual pulses with durations from 10 μμμs down to 50 ns and amplitudes from 15000 μμμV cm−1^{-1}−1 down to ~170 μμμV cm−1^{-1}−1, corresponding to a sensitivity of ~240 nV cm−1^{-1}−1 Hz−1/2^{-1/2}−1/2. Finally, we highlight the potential of a Rydberg vapour cell as a receiver by detecting pulse trains from a rotating emitter on a simulated passing aircraft.
In this work, we present theoretical and experimental data on detecting pulsed radio frequency fields. We focus on pulse arrival time detection accuracy. We measure two-photon Rydberg atom EIT in response to ~μs pulse-modulated radio-frequency signals resonant with a Rydberg-Rydberg transition, using a room temperature cesium vapor cell with the lasers locked on atomic resonances. We study the dependence of the atomic response on optical and radio-frequency Rabi frequencies as well as effects such as atomic collisions, ionization, and transit time broadening. We find good agreement with time-dependent simulations performed using a density matrix approach, with a dark state added to account for Rydberg atom decay. We present factors that can influence the sensitivity and timing precision of radio frequency pulses detected under these conditions. Such a system demonstrates potential for the detection of weak radio-frequency pulses in communications and radar applications.
We investigate a technique for detecting radio frequency (RF) electric fields in a cesium (Cs) vapor cell at room temperature by collecting charges from ionized Rydberg atoms and compare its performance with the established method of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). By applying a known RF field, we measure the response from both the electrical (ionization current-based) and optical (EIT-based) readouts. The ionization current-based method yields a sensitivity of 22 μ V m−1 Hz−1/2, while the EIT-based method achieves 3.7 μ V m−1 Hz−1/2. The sensitivity of the ionization current-based method is limited by the 2.2 k Ω resistance between the collection electrodes, attributed to a thin Cs film on the inner surfaces of the vapor cell. Controlling or eliminating the Cs layer can significantly improve the sensitivity of this ionization approach.
Rydberg atom is an atom with a high principal quantum number. Its quantum coherence effect enables the measuring of radio frequency electric fields in space. In this work, the radio frequency pulse response characteristics of the radio frequency receiving system based on the Rydberg atom under different pulse widths and intensities are studied. In the experiment, lasers with wavelengths of 852 nm and 510 nm are used to excite cesium atoms. Moreover, a radio frequency source emits pulse signals with different parameters to irradiate Rydberg atoms. The probe signal transmitted from the atomic vapor cell is directed at the photodetector. Moreover, the oscilloscope records the electrical signal obtained by photoelectric conversion. In addition, the simulation ranging is performed by setting different pulse delay times through the fiber delay instrument. It preliminarily proves that the radio frequency receiving system based on Rydberg atoms has a function of pulse ranging.
We report on the development of detection methods for amplitude and phase of pulsed radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields with Rydberg atoms. We begin with an overview of the basic principles of Rydberg-atom-based sensing and measurement of RF electromagnetic fields. An overview of the underlying atomic physics and the method for amplitude as well as phase sensing of electromagnetic radiation with Rydberg atoms is provided. Atomic RF receivers using Rydberg atoms for analog and digital communications and sensing of modulated RF fields are discussed. Detection of pulse-modulated RF and time-domain RF pulse waveform imaging with a Rydberg-atom receiver are demonstrated. The transient response of the Rydberg-atom vapor to a modulated RF field is observed at the 10-nanosecond level, from which a new lower limit to the achievable instantaneous signal bandwidth of atomic RF receivers is established. Finally, we present and describe a new method to measure the phase of an RF field implemented to not require an RF reference wave. The method employs phase-coherent excitation pathways involving the optical fields in the atomic sensing medium with the signal RF field. The optical RF phase-sensing approach lends itself to the realization of atomic RF sensors, measurement and imaging devices that are relevant to applications in RF communications and sensing.
Rydberg atoms have large transition electric dipole moments and high sensitivity to electric fields. We describe a new method for microwave field sensing in a vapor cell consisting of separate excitation, quantum evolution between two Rydberg levels in the dark and state-dependent detection with probe laser transmission. Using microwave pulse techniques we study homogeneous and inhomogeneous relaxation of the coherence between Rydberg levels and demonstrate detection of a 10 GHz signal with electric field sensitivity of 10 nV/cm/Hz1/2^{1/2}1/2.