Quantum-enabled complete RF-polarimetry with an optically-wired atomic sensor

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a quantum atomic sensor capable of complete RF-polarimetry, mapping arbitrary polarization states onto atomic spectra in a calibration-free manner.

Contribution

It introduces a method to measure and analyze RF fields with any polarization using Rydberg atoms, extending beyond linear polarization detection.

Findings

Successfully mapped RF polarization states onto atomic spectra.

Observed continuous spectral transformations for different polarization states.

Framework is universal and applicable to all single-valence-electron systems.

Abstract

Rydberg atomic electrometry leverages the extreme sensitivity of highly excited atoms for calibration-free electric field measurements. The technique uses a non-metallic vapor cell to link properties of an RF field to a spectroscopic readout in the optical domain. Most demonstrations have so far focused on detecting linearly-polarized fields, for which the induced splitting of dressed atomic levels is rotationally invariant. Here we report on Rydberg atomic measurements of RF fields in a general state of polarization (SOP) which we map onto the Poincar\'{e} sphere through spectroscopic fingerprints. For a Stokes vector circumnavigating a Poincar\'e sphere meridian, we witness a continuous transformation of the atomic eigenenergy spectrum. Because the relative positions of eigenenergies are locked in place by quantization of angular momentum, the framework is universal and calibration free. We provide a specific demonstration in rubidium, which generalizes to all systems with a single valence electron.