Quantum-enhanced Electrometer based on Microwave-dressed Rydberg Atoms

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a quantum-enhanced microwave electrometer using entangled Rydberg atoms, achieving sensitivity beyond the shot noise limit in both cold and hot atom setups, with potential for practical applications.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum enhancement technique using entanglement in Rydberg atom electrometers to surpass shot noise limitations, applicable to various atomic vapor conditions.

Findings

Sensitivity surpasses shot noise limit in cold atom scheme

Sensitivity surpasses shot noise limit in hot atom scheme

Quantum advantage maintained across different vapor absorption levels

Abstract

Rydberg atoms have been shown remarkable performance in sensing microwave field. The sensitivity of such an electrometer based on optical readout of atomic ensemble has been demonstrated to approach the photon-shot-noise limit. However, the sensitivity can not be promoted infinitely by increasing the power of probe light due to the increased collision rates and power broadening. Compared with classical light, the use of quantum light may lead to a better sensitivity with lower number of photons. In this paper, we exploit entanglement in a microwave-dressed Rydberg electrometer to suppress the fluctuation of noise. The results show a sensitivity enhancement beating the shot noise limit in both cold and hot atom schemes. Through optimizing the transmission of optical readout, our quantum advantage can be maintained with different absorptive index of atomic vapor, which makes it possible to apply quantum light source in the absorptive electrometer.