Subwavelength micromachined vapor-cell based Rydberg sensing

Abstract

In recent years, micromachined vapor cells have been revolutionizing the field of chip-scale quantum sensors such as magnetometers and atomic clocks. In parallel, Rydberg atomic quantum sensing has emerged as a powerful technique for broadband, non-invasive and ultra-sensitive electrometry. Yet, to date, Rydberg sensing has largely been limited to glass-blown, centimeter-scale vapor cells. Here, we perform Rydberg spectroscopy using a wafer-scale fabricated Pyrex-Si-Pyrex cell with millimeter-scale dimensions. The Rydberg spectroscopic line is characterized with respect to critical parameters such as temperature, the frequency and amplitude of the applied radiofrequency field, light intensity, and the spatial position of the interrogating beam. Our study reveals lineshapes directly influenced by a complex landscape of electrostatic fields with values up to approximately 0.6 V/cm. By controlling key parameters, we were able to reduce the effect of these internal electric fields and demonstrate the detection of RF fields with a sensitivity as low as $10\,\mu\mathrm{V/cm}$ These results highlight the potential of micromachined vapor cells for sub-wavelength electromagnetic field measurements, with applications in communications, near-field RF imaging, and chip-scale quantum technologies.