Detection of 3–300 MHz electric fields using Floquet sideband gaps by “Rabi matching” dressed Rydberg atoms
Andrew P. Rotunno, Samuel Berweger, Nikunjkumar Prajapati, Matthew T. Simons, Alexandra B. Artusio‐Glimpse, Christopher L. Holloway, Maitreyi Jayaseelan, R. M. Potvliege, Charles S. Adams
Abstract
Radio frequencies in high-frequency (HF) and very high-frequency (VHF) bands (3–300 MHz) are challenging for Rydberg atom-based detection schemes, as resonant detection requires exciting atoms to extremely high energy states. We demonstrate a method for detecting and measuring radio frequency carriers in these bands via a controlled Autler–Townes line splitting. Using a resonant 18 GHz field, the absorption signal from Townes–Merritt sidebands created by a relatively low-frequency, non-resonant field can be enhanced. Notably, this technique uses a measurement of optical frequency separation of an avoided crossing to determine the amplitude of a non-resonant field. This technique also provides frequency-selective measurements of electric fields in the hundreds of MHz range with resolution of order 10 MHz. To show this, we demonstrate amplitude-modulated signal transduction on a MHz-range carrier. We further demonstrate reception of multiple tones simultaneously, creating a Rydberg “spectrum analyzer.”