Background-free calibrated electric-field imaging with Rydberg-state fluorescence and Autler-Townes splitting

Area of Science:

• Atomic physics
• Quantum optics
• Electromagnetics

Background:

• Millimeter-wave (mmWave) electric field measurement is crucial for various applications.
• Existing methods often lack spatial resolution or require complex calibration.
• Rydberg atoms offer sensitive probes for electromagnetic fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a spatially resolved imaging technique for mmWave electric fields.
• To achieve high-contrast, zero-background imaging using Rydberg-state fluorescence.
• To enable absolute calibration and robust field extraction.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a multi-photon ladder excitation scheme in warm atomic vapor.
• Leveraged a dark decay channel for high-contrast imaging.
• Reconstructed Autler-Townes splitting for absolute electric field calibration.
• Employed Gorini-Kossakowski-Sudarshan-Lindblad (GKSL) master equation for steady-state analysis.

Main Results:

• Achieved high-contrast, zero-background imaging of mmWave electric fields.
• Demonstrated absolute calibration of local electric fields.
• Visualized standing-wave interference patterns in a vapor cell.
• Showcased engineering of local field distributions using dielectric reflectors.

Conclusions:

• The developed technique is a versatile and self-calibrating platform for mmWave electric field imaging.
• This method enables precise characterization of mmWave-optical interfaces.
• Offers a new tool for diagnostics in high-frequency electromagnetic fields.