# Fast Single-shot Imaging of Individual Ions via Homodyne Detection of Rydberg-Blockade-Induced Absorption

## TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a rapid, single-shot imaging technique for individual ions using homodyne detection of ion-Rydberg interactions, achieving high fidelity and revealing spatial correlations in Rydberg excitations.

## Contribution

The authors develop a novel homodyne detection method enabling fast, high-fidelity imaging of single ions in a single shot, advancing quantum gas and hybrid system studies.

## Key findings

- Achieved 80% detection fidelity for individual ions.
- Realized 1 microsecond exposure time for single-shot imaging.
- Visualized ion-Rydberg interaction blockade and spatial correlations.

## Abstract

We introduce well-separated $^{87}$Rb$^+$ ions into an atomic ensemble by microwave ionization of Rydberg excitations and realize single-shot imaging of the individual ions with an exposure time of 1 $\mu$s. This imaging sensitivity is reached by using homodyne detection of ion-Rydberg-atom interaction induced absorption. We obtain an ion detection fidelity of (80 $\pm$ 5)\% from analyzing the absorption spots in acquired single-shot images. These \textit{in situ} images provide a direct visualization of the ion-Rydberg interaction blockade and reveal clear spatial correlations between Rydberg excitations. The capability of imaging individual ions in a single shot is of interest for investigating collisional dynamics in hybrid ion-atom systems and for exploring ions as a probe for measurements of quantum gases.