Detection of HF and VHF Fields through Floquet Sideband Gaps by `Rabi Matching' Dressed Rydberg Atoms

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel Rydberg atom-based method for detecting and measuring HF and VHF radio frequency fields using Floquet sideband gaps and Rabi matching, enabling frequency-selective and multi-tone RF sensing.

Contribution

The authors develop a new technique leveraging Autler-Townes splitting and avoided crossings to detect low-frequency RF fields with Rydberg atoms, extending capabilities into HF and VHF bands.

Findings

Successfully detected HF and VHF RF fields using Rydberg atoms.

Demonstrated frequency-selective measurement of low-frequency RF electric fields.

Implemented a Rydberg spectrum analyzer capable of multi-tone RF reception.

Abstract

Radio frequencies in the HF and VHF (3 MHz to 300 MHz) bands are challenging for Rydberg atom-based detection schemes, as resonant detection requires exciting the atoms to extremely high energy states. We demonstrate a method for detecting and measuring radio frequency (RF) carriers in the HF and VHF bands via a controlled Autler-Townes line splitting. Using a resonant, high-frequency (GHz) RF field, the absorption signal from Townes-Merrit sidebands created by a low frequency, non-resonant RF field can be enhanced. Notably, this technique uses a measurement of the optical frequency separation of an avoided crossing to determine the amplitude of a non-resonant, low frequency RF field. This technique also provides frequency-selective measurements of low frequency RF electric fields. To show this, we demonstrate amplitude modulated signal transduction on a low frequency VHF carrier. We further demonstrate reception of multiple tones simultaneously, creating a Rydberg `spectrum analyzer' over the VHF range.