Measurement of arc rf signals based on Rydberg atoms
Phys. Rev. Applied 24, 014006 – Published 2 July, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/2jpt-6313
Abstract
The majority of electrical fire incidents in power systems are caused by arc faults, highlighting the necessity for prompt detection of such faults. Traditional arc fault detection methods based on the system current and voltage often interfere with the existing power systems during data collection, whereas measurement of arc radio frequency (rf) signals avoids this type of interference. In contrast to traditional metal antennas, Rydberg-atom-based electric field sensors have nonmetallic, self-calibrating, and isotropic characteristics. Theoretically, they offer substantial advantages in terms of their working bandwidths, sensitivity, and other aspects. We investigate the response of a Rydberg-atom-based sensor to rf signals from a commercial arc lighter. We measure the spectrum of the megahertz-level arc rf signals directly, and the results obtained align well with those obtained using a traditional metal antenna. Finally, we also explore the effects of different detection distances on the measurement results. This work provides an alternative approach to the detection of arc faults and can serve as a reference for expanding the range of applications of Rydberg-atom-based sensors.
