基于里德堡原子的微波功率精密测量

Precision Measurement of Microwave Power Using Rydberg Atoms

提出一种基于里德堡原子量子相干效应的功率测量新方法。将装有铷蒸气的低电磁扰动原子气室置于特定的导波系统中,基于里德堡原子量子相干效应将对导波电场测量转化为对原子吸收光谱的探测,利用功率和导波电场的解析量化关系,实现一种全新的可溯源至普朗克常数的微波功率测量。在10.22GHz频率处与传统功率测量进行比较,-40dBm至-20dBm的功率范围内两者平均偏差为0.08dB(1.86%)。这种全新的微波功率量子测量方法具有灵敏度高、动态范围大、测量不确定度小等优势,有望形成新一代可直接溯源至国际单位制(SI)的微波功率基准。

A new power measurement method based on the quantum coherence effect of Rydberg atoms is proposed.The low electromagnetic perturbation atomic vapor cell containing rubidium vapor is placed in the specific waveguide system. Based on Rydberg atomic quantum coherence effect,the guided wave electric field measurement is transformed into the detection of atomic absorption spectroscopy. A completely new microwave power measurement traceable to Planck constant and frequency measurement is realized by using the analytic quantization relationship between the power and the guided wave electric field. Compared with traditional power measurement at the frequency of 10. 22 GHz,the average deviation from-40 d Bm to-20 d Bm is 0. 08 d B(1. 86%). The new microwave power quantum measurement method has the advantages of high sensitivity,large dynamic range and small measurement uncertainty. It is expected to form a new generation of microwave power standard that can lead to a direct SI-traceable approach for power metrology.