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Low-frequency electric field sensing with a Rydberg beam

Jeremy Glick1, John R. Dickson2, Josie Wood2, and Paul Kunz1,2

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Phys. Rev. A 114, 012608 – Published 7 July, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/69rr-cf77

Abstract

We present a method for performing low-frequency electric-field sensing via ionization detection of Rydberg atoms in a collimated atomic beam. A collimated beam avoids many of the electric-field screening effects that are common in warm vapor cells due to the accumulation of alkali-metal atoms on glass surfaces. Further, a beam facilitates a spatially separated region for high signal-to-noise readout via ionization detection. Using this approach, we measure dc Stark shifts from external fields with frequencies as low as 1 Hz. The sensor demonstrates a sensitivity of better than 1 mV/mHz for frequencies above 20 Hz and 0.14(4) mV/mHz above 500 Hz with a linear dynamic range of over 50 dB.

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Phys. Rev. A 114, 012608– Published 7 July, 2026
  • Received 2 February 2026
  • Accepted 15 June 2026
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