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Very-high- and ultrahigh-frequency electric-field detection using high angular momentum Rydberg states

Roger C. Brown1,2,*, Baran Kayim1, Michael A. Viray1, Abigail R. Perry1,3, Brian C. Sawyer1, and Robert Wyllie1,†

  • 1Georgia Tech Research Institute, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
  • 2NIST, 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80305, USA
  • 3Quantinuum, 303 S. Technology Court, Broomfield, Colorado 80021, USA

  • *roger.brown@nist.gov
  • †robert.wyllie@gtri.gatech.edu
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Phys. Rev. A 107, 052605 – Published 12 May, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.107.052605

Abstract

We demonstrate resonant detection of rf electric fields from 240 to 900 MHz (very high frequency to ultrahigh frequency) using electromagnetically induced transparency to measure orbital angular momentum L=3→L′=4 Rydberg transitions. These Rydberg states are accessible with three-photon infrared optical excitation. By resonantly detecting rf in the electrically small regime, these states enable a new class of atomic receivers. We find good agreement between measured spectra and predictions of quantum defect theory for principal quantum numbers n=45 to 70. Using a superhetrodyne detection setup, we measure the noise floor at n=50 to be 13µV/(mHz). Additionally, we utilize data and a numerical model incorporating a five-level master equation solution to estimate the fundamental sensitivity limits of our system.

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Outline

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Phys. Rev. A 107, 052605– Published 12 May, 2023
  • Received 25 May 2022
  • Revised 10 March 2023
  • Accepted 14 April 2023
Article part of CHORUS
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