Assessment of Rydberg atoms for wideband electric field sensing

作者：David H. Meyer, Zachary A. Castillo, Kevin C. Cox, Paul D. Kunz · 发表于：Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics · 年份：2019 · DOI：10.1088/1361-6455/ab6051 · 被引用次数：188 · 研究领域：Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates、Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research、Quantum optics and atomic interactions

Abstract Rydberg atoms have attracted significant interest recently as electric field sensors. In order to assess potential applications, detailed understanding of relevant figures of merit is necessary, particularly in relation to other, more mature, sensor technologies. Here we present a quantitative analysis of the Rydberg sensor’s sensitivity to oscillating electric fields with frequencies between 1 kHz and 1 THz. Sensitivity is calculated using a combination of analytical and semi-classical Floquet models. Using these models, optimal sensitivity at arbitrary field frequency is determined. We validate the numeric Floquet model via experimental Rydberg sensor measurements over a range of 1–20 GHz. Using analytical models, we compare with two prominent electric field sensor technologies: electro-optic crystals and dipole antenna-coupled passive electronics.