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Optical and Quantum Sensing and Precision Metrology II

Rydberg atom-based sensors for metrology and beyond

Christopher L. Holloway, Noah Schlossberger, Nikunjkumar Prajapati, Alexandra B. Artusio‐Glimpse, Matthew T. Simons, Samuel Berweger, William J. Watterson

Published Mar 5, 2026• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Atom-based measurements enable unprecedented accuracy and allow for direct International System of Units (SI) traceable measurements. As a result, metrology techniques and measurement standards have evolved towards atom-based measurements over the last few decades (time, frequency, length). Recently, there has been a great interest in extending this to magnetic fields, electric fields, and other physical quantities. The unique properties of Rydberg atoms allow for radio-frequency metrology and spectroscopy, leading not only to accuracy improvements but also to a range of intriguing applications.

DOI
10.1117/12.3086693

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Atom-based measurements enable unprecedented accuracy and allow for direct International System of Units (SI) traceable measurements. As a result, metrology techniques and measurement standards have evolved towards atom-based measurements over the last few decades (time, frequency, length). Recently, there has been a great interest in extending this to magnetic fields, electric fields, and other physical quantities. The unique properties of Rydberg atoms allow for radio-frequency metrology and spectroscopy, leading not only to accuracy improvements but also to a range of intriguing applications.
Rydberg-atom-based electrometry provides a quantum, SI-traceable approach to radio-frequency (RF) and microwave electric-field sensing by linking optical spectra to absolute field strength through electromagnetically induced trans parency. Over the past decade, rapid advances in excitation schemes, field-tuning methods, interferometric readout, and cavity-assisted coupling have significantly improved sensitivity, bandwidth, and tunability of Rydberg-based sensors. In parallel, progress in fiber-coupled modules, microfabricated vapor cells, and photonic integration is enabling compact and deployable receiver architectures. This review presents a comprehensive and metrology-oriented synthesis of the physical principles, system architectures, standardized performance metrics, and uncertainty considerations relevant to Rydberg-atom RF sensing. By con solidating diverse developments into a unified performance and evaluation framework, this work provides a critical reference for the design, comparison, and advancement of next-generation quantum RF sensors and standards.
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.
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.