Hannover 2013 – scientific programme
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A: Fachverband Atomphysik
A 40: Poster: Ultra-cold plasmas and Rydberg systems (with Q)
A 40.6: Poster
Thursday, March 21, 2013, 16:00–18:30, Empore Lichthof
Microwave Electrometry with Rydberg Atoms in a Vapor Cell using Bright Atomic Resonances — Jonathon A. Sedlacek2, Harald Kübler1,2, Renate Daschner1, Arne Schwettmann2, •Anita Gaj1, Robert Löw1, Tilman Pfau1, and James P. Shaffer2 — 15. Physikalisches Institut, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57 D-70550 Stuttgart, Germany — 2Homer L. Dodge Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Oklahoma, 440 W. Brooks St. Norman, Oklahoma 73019, USA
Quantum based standards of length and time as well as measurements of other useful physical quantities, ex. magnetic fields, are important because quantum systems, like atoms, show clear advantages for providing stable and uniform measurements. We demonstrate a new method for measuring cw microwave electric fields based on quantum interference in a Rubidium atom. Using a bright resonance prepared within an electromagnetically induced transparency window we are able to achieve a sensitivity of ∼30µVcm−1Hz−1/2 in a thermal vapor cell[1]. In addition, our approach can be used to detect an arbitrary microwave electric field polarizations and offers a sub-wavelength spatial resolution. The method can serve as a new atom based traceable standard for vector microwave electrometry. The reproducibility, accuracy and stability of using an atom for measuring microwave electric fields promises to advance traceable microwave electrometry to the current levels of magnetometry.
[1] J. A. Sedlacek et al., Nature Physics 8, 819-824 (2012)