Rydberg-Atom-Based Electrometry Using a Self-Heterodyne Frequency-Comb Readout and Preparation Scheme

Atom-based radio-frequency (rf) electromagnetic field sensing using atomic Rydberg states is a promising technique that has recently attracted significant interest. Its unique advantages, such as extraordinary bandwidth, self-calibration, and all-dielectric sensors, are tangible improvement over antenna-based methods in applications test measurement development of broad-bandwidth receivers. Here, we demonstrate how an optical-frequency comb can be used to acquire data the Autler-Townes regime Rydberg-atom-based electrometry massively parallel fashion, eliminating need for laser scanning. Two-photon electromagnetically induced transparency readout preparation cesium demonstration. A flat quasicontinuous optical generated with probe at 852 nm electro-optic modulator arbitrary waveform generator. single-frequency coupling 509 tuned launch state. An enhanced transmission signal obtained self-heterodyne spectroscopy, where beat against local oscillator derived from on fast photodiode. The each probe-laser tooth observed. We resolve peaks line widths below 5 MHz, without locking. Radio-frequency fields low $66\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{\ensuremath{\mu}}{\mathrm{Vcm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ detected, sensitivities $2.3\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{\ensuremath{\mu}}{\mathrm{Vcm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}{\mathrm{Hz}}^{\ensuremath{-}1/2}$. method offers advantage reading out splitting, neither needs scanned slow frequency drifts tolerated some applications. enables detection amplitude pulsed rf when incoming pulse splits peak.