CM-AMO Seminar | Antenna Characterization Using Vapor Cell Rydberg EIT

Atomic detectors for sensing and measurement of AC electric fields show certain advantages over traditional dipole antenna, such as the capability to measure absolute electric field strengths, and a higher physical resolution. Here I will present experimental detection of incident RF fields, using electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) spectroscopy on Rydberg states within an atomic vapor. The small (5.5 x 5.5 mm cross-section) Rubidium vapor cell is used to image the field the near-field from a microwave horn, to a spatial resolution of lambda/10, covering a field-amplitude range from 50 to 350 V/m. Results are compared to finite-element field simulations, and further experiments demonstrating the ability to record absolute field amplitude and frequency values will be discussed.