Rydberg Atom Sensors in Multichromatic Radio Frequency Fields

Abstract: Rydberg atom-based sensors are a new type of radio frequency sensor that is inherently quantum mechanical. Several configurations of the sensor use a local oscillator to determine the properties of the target radio frequency field. We explain how the physics of Rydberg atom-based sensors in two or more radio frequency fields can be precisely described by a multiply dressed Jaynes-Cummings model. Studying Rydberg atom-based sensors in two or more near resonant radio frequency fields is important for understanding how interfering signals as well as the local oscillator can affect measurements. Studies, so far, focus on a simplified approximation for the local oscillator-target field interaction that uses an analogy to radio frequency heterodyning. The atom acts as a medium for exchanging electromagnetic field excitations of the field modes whose spectrum is a ladder. The Jaynes-Cummings states and their avoided crossings can be used to determine the properties of the radio frequency fields. Radio frequency field sensitivity enhancement for non-resonant radio frequencies is achieved and self-calibrated measurements are recovered under specific conditions described by the theory.