Colinear Three Photon Approach to Rydberg Atom-Based Sensors

In this talk, we present work on a colinear three-photon approach to all-optical, atom-based electric field sensing. Atom-based radio frequency field sensors have a number of applications in communications, radar and test and measurement. All of these applications benefit from being able to improve accuracy and sensitivity. Our three-photon approach eliminates Doppler broadening, improving sensitivity and spectral resolution. Increasing spectral resolution extends the Autler-Townes region where the sensing is self-calibrated. Using a colinear three-photon configuration for preparation and readout, we present results where we obtain an
$\sim 20$
times improvement in spectral resolution and
$\sim 10$
times improvement in sensitivity when compared to the conventional two-photon preparation and readout. Wel address further avenues for improving sensitivity in the talk, including novel types of vapor cells.