Rydberg states of alkali atoms in atomic vapour as SI-traceable field probes and communications receivers
摘要
Rydberg states of alkali atoms are highly sensitive to electric fields because their electron wavefunction has a large spatial extent, leading to large polarizabilities for static fields and large transition dipole moments for time-varying fields. Over the past few years, Rydberg atoms have been used as sensitive probes for performing self-calibrated and SI-traceable electric field measurements. In this Technical Review, we introduce and examine the current state of Rydberg atom-based electrometry in room-temperature atomic vapours. We cover the fundamental principles, experimental techniques, recent advancements, and applications of this field, providing a comprehensive resource for researchers interested in utilizing Rydberg atoms for precise electric field measurements.