Rydberg Atoms for One-Step Traceability for Sensing Electric Fields

Published

May 8, 2023

Author(s)

Aly Artusio-Glimpse, Christopher L. Holloway, Matt Simons, Nik Prajapati, Drew Rotunno, Samuel Berweger, Kaleb Campbell, Maitreyi Jayaseelan

Abstract

Absolute electric field measurements present a "chicken-and-egg" situation where calibration of field probes relies on accurate knowledge of the field while precise determination of the field involves measurements with a calibrated probe. Metrology institutes overcome this dilemma by employing careful geometric measurements, Maxwell's equations, and a long chain of calibrations to determine absolute field strength with order of 5% uncertainty. We describe an alternative approach using Rydberg atoms that ties radio frequency electric field strength to Planck's constant through calculable quantum properties of the atoms for improved accuracy and simplicity. In addition to improved calibrations, Rydberg atom probes can be used as sensors and receivers for a wide swath of applications that we describe.

Proceedings Title

SMSI Conference

Conference Dates

May 8-11, 2023

Conference Location

Nuremberg, DE

Conference Title

Science and Measurement Science International

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

Rydberg atoms, electrometry, revised SI, radio frequency, sensing, communications

Citation

Artusio-Glimpse, A. , Holloway, C. , Simons, M. , Prajapati, N. , Rotunno, D. , Berweger, S. , Campbell, K. and Jayaseelan, M. (2023), Rydberg Atoms for One-Step Traceability for Sensing Electric Fields, SMSI Conference, Nuremberg, DE, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=936283 (Accessed October 13, 2025)