Low frequency electric field sensing with a Rydberg beam

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel low frequency electric field sensor using Rydberg atoms in a collimated beam, achieving high sensitivity and avoiding common vapor cell issues.

Contribution

The work demonstrates a new Rydberg atom-based electric field sensing method with improved low frequency detection and spatial separation advantages.

Findings

Achieved detection of DC Stark shifts at frequencies as low as 1 Hz.

Sensor sensitivity better than 1 mV/m√Hz above 20 Hz.

Linear dynamic range exceeds 50 dB.

Abstract

We present a method for performing low frequency electric field sensing via ionization detection of Rydberg atoms in a collimated atomic beam. A collimated beam avoids much of the electric field screening effects that are common in warm vapor cells due to the accumulation of alkali-metal atoms on glass surfaces. Further, a beam facilitates a spatially separated region for high signal-to-noise readout via ionization detection. Using this approach, we measure DC Stark shifts from external fields with frequencies as low as 1 Hz. The sensor demonstrates a sensitivity of better than 1 mV/m$\sqrt{\rm {Hz}}$ for frequencies above 20 Hz and $0.14(4)$ mV/m$\sqrt{\rm {Hz}}$ above 500 Hz with a linear dynamic range of over 50 dB.