Sub-wavelength imaging and field mapping via electromagnetically induced transparency and Autler-Townes splitting in Rydberg atoms

Published

June 16, 2014

Author(s)

Christopher L. Holloway, Joshua A. Gordon

Abstract

Using a quantum-optics technique known as Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) and Autler-Townes splitting, we present a technique for sub-wavelength imaging and field mapping of electrical fields ranging from 1~GHz to 500~GHz. The technique is based on the interaction between RF-fields with Rydberg atoms: where alkali atoms are excited optically to Rydberg states and the applied RF-field alters the resonant state of the atoms. We use this technique to measure the field distributions inside a structure at both 17.04~GHz and 104.77~GHz. To validate the results, we compare these measurements to full numerical simulations. The spatial resolution of this approach in based on beam widths of the two lasers used in this technique, which can be on the order 50~$\mu$m to 100~$\mu$m or smaller.

Citation

IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation

Volume

104

Issue

24

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4883635

Keywords

atom based metrology, Autler-Townes Splitting, broadband probe, electrical field measurements and sensors, EIT, sub-wavelength imaging, Rydberg atoms

Citation

Holloway, C. and Gordon, J. (2014), Sub-wavelength imaging and field mapping via electromagnetically induced transparency and Autler-Townes splitting in Rydberg atoms, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, [online], https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4883635 (Accessed October 16, 2025)