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This research advances the practical deployment of quantum sensors by replacing unstable DC bias fields with modulated AC auxiliary fields in Rydberg atoms. The approach significantly improves calibration stability and robustness against environmental drifts, addressing key barriers to real-world application for detecting low-frequency electric signals. By mapping Stark shifts via electromagnetically induced transparency, this work establishes a more reliable framework for high-sensitivity quantum sensing without relying on fragile plasma generation or electrode configurations.
Quantum sensing of low-frequency electric signal enabled by modulated auxiliary field in Rydberg atoms
arXiv:2607.18740v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Rydberg atoms have emerged as a versatile and efficient platform for high-sensitivity quantum sensing of free-space electric fields, with remarkable progress in detecting low-frequency signals. To date, low-frequency Rydberg receivers have relied on a constant bias field, typically realized via intra-cell electrodes or Rydberg plasmas generated by photoelectric effects or inter-atomic interactions. While these approaches improve sensitivity, they suffer from inherent challenges in calibration, long-term stability, and robustness, hindering practical deployment. Here, we propose, design, and experimentally demonstrate a quantum sensing scheme for low-frequency electric signals using modulated auxiliary fields in Rydberg atoms. Unlike conventional methods that employ external DC electric fields that are often fully shielded by adsorbed atom layers on the cell walls, we introduce an AC-field modulation strategy. The incoming low-frequency signal mixes with the auxiliary field, and together they induce Stark shifts of the Rydberg level. These shifts are mapped onto the probe laser via electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), in a manner analogous to heterodyne detection. We demonstrate a sensitivity of $7.5 \pm 2.6~\mathrm{\mu V/(cm\cdot Hz^{1/2})}$ at 5 kHz and a minimal detectable field of $0.26 \pm 0.04~\mathrm{\mu V/cm}$ with an integration time of 1000 s. Furthermore, we extend this approach to systematically analyze the performance of generalized auxiliary fields containing multiple frequency components. By virtue of modulated auxiliary field and quantum frequency mixing, our results establish a robust and systematic framework for quantum sensing of low-frequency electric fields with Rydberg atoms, offering improved sensitivity, stability, and immunity to environmental drifts.
Abstract:Rydberg atoms have emerged as a versatile and efficient platform for high-sensitivity quantum sensing of free-space electric fields, with remarkable progress in detecting low-frequency signals. To date, low-frequency Rydberg receivers have relied on a constant bias field, typically realized via intra-cell electrodes or Rydberg plasmas generated by photoelectric effects or inter-atomic interactions. While these approaches improve sensitivity, they suffer from inherent challenges in calibration, long-term stability, and robustness, hindering practical deployment. Here, we propose, design, and experimentally demonstrate a quantum sensing scheme for low-frequency electric signals using modulated auxiliary fields in Rydberg atoms. Unlike conventional methods that employ external DC electric fields that are often fully shielded by adsorbed atom layers on the cell walls, we introduce an AC-field modulation strategy. The incoming low-frequency signal mixes with the auxiliary field, and together they induce Stark shifts of the Rydberg level. These shifts are mapped onto the probe laser via electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), in a manner analogous to heterodyne detection. We demonstrate a sensitivity of $7.5 \pm 2.6~\mathrm{\mu V/(cm\cdot Hz^{1/2})}$ at 5 kHz and a minimal detectable field of $0.26 \pm 0.04~\mathrm{\mu V/cm}$ with an integration time of 1000 s. Furthermore, we extend this approach to systematically analyze the performance of generalized auxiliary fields containing multiple frequency components. By virtue of modulated auxiliary field and quantum frequency mixing, our results establish a robust and systematic framework for quantum sensing of low-frequency electric fields with Rydberg atoms, offering improved sensitivity, stability, and immunity to environmental drifts.
Quantum Physics (quant-ph); Atomic Physics (physics.atom-ph); Instrumentation and Detectors (physics.ins-det)
arXiv:2607.18740 [quant-ph]
(or arXiv:2607.18740v1 [quant-ph] for this version)
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2607.18740 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration)
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