Rydberg atoms with a reduced sensitivity to dc and low-frequency electric fields

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a microwave dressing technique that significantly reduces the sensitivity of Rydberg atoms to static and low-frequency electric fields, enhancing their stability for quantum sensing applications.

Contribution

The study introduces a method using a non-resonant microwave field to eliminate static dipole differences in Rydberg states, improving their robustness against electric field fluctuations.

Findings

Reduced susceptibility to electric field fluctuations measured via microwave spectroscopy

Observation of an anomalous spectral doublet due to polarization ellipticity

Potential application in quantum sensors and devices

Abstract

A non-resonant microwave dressing field at 38.465 GHz was used to eliminate the static electric dipole moment difference between the $49s_{1/2}$ and $48s_{1/2}$ Rydberg states of $^{87}$Rb in dc fields of approximately 1 V/cm. The reduced susceptibility to electric field fluctuations was measured using 2-photon microwave spectroscopy. An anomalous spectral doublet is attributed to polarization ellipticity in the dressing field. The demonstrated ability to inhibit static dipole moment differences --- while retaining sensitivity to high frequency fields --- is applicable to sensors and/or quantum devices using Rydberg atoms.