A Self-Calibrated SI-Traceable Rydberg Atom-Based Radio Frequency Electric Field Probe and Measurement Instrument

We present a self-calibrating, SI-traceable broadband Rydberg-atom-based radio-frequency (RF) electric field probe (the Rydberg Field Probe or RFP) and measurement instrument (Rydberg Measurement System RFMS). The RFMS comprises an atomic RF (RFP), connected by ruggedized fiber-optic patch cord to portable mainframe control unit with software interface for analysis including real-time readout waveform visualization. employs electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) of spectral signatures from RF-sensitive states vapor continuous, pulsed, modulated measurement. RFP exploits resonant off-resonant Rydberg-field interactions realize measurements at frequencies ranging ~10 MHz sub-THz over wide dynamic range. incorporates RF-field-free reference laser-frequency tracker ensure reliability accuracy the characterize measure polar polarization patterns 12.6 GHz in far-field standard gain horn antenna. Measurements 2.5 are also performed. Measured good agreement simulations. A detailed calibration procedure uncertainty presented that account deviations isotropic response $4\pi$ solid angle, arising dielectric structures external volume. Contributions fundamental method associated as well material, geometry, hardware design choices accounted for. (C) factor is used establish absolute-standard RFP. Pulsed measurement, time-domain RF-pulse imaging demonstrated.