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Abstract: 

The idea of atomic electrometry or atomic electric-field (E-field) sensing using atomic Rydberg states was proposed back in 1990s. In the past decade, owing to the more well established laser technologies, optically interrogating atomic Rydberg states became more mature and practical. Like other atomic metrology technologies, such as atomic clocks, atomic magnetometers, atomic accelerometers, etc., atomic electrometers can in-principle be traceable standards for E-field measurements and providing the best accuracy and precision. So far, the research community has been heavily focusing on developing atomic electrometers for E-field sensing at RF frequency range. Although establishing E-field measurement standards for RF signals is quite promising, the E-field sensitivity at this frequency range has not surpassed the conventional electronic detection technology. On the other hand, atomic metrology usually delivers much better performance compared to the other existing technology at low-frequency range. Sandia has recently demonstrated ultra-low frequency (ULE) atomic E-field sensing with better performance than electronic technology. We believe that we can achieve more significant breakthrough in E-field sensing at low frequencies in the near future. In this presentation, I will give a quick review of atomic electrometry and talk about our breakthrough at ULE E-field sensing in more detail and its potential applications.

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