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arXiv · 2511.12322

Non-perturbative 2D spatial measurements of electric fields within a plasma sheath

Mykhailo Vorobiov·Rob Behary·Will Torg·Nicolas DeStefano·Saskia Mordijck·Edward Thomas Jr.·Saikat Chakraborty Thakur·Charles T. Fancher·Neel Malvania·Seth Aubin·Eugeniy E. Mikhailov·Irina Novikova
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Abstract

We introduce an all-optical quantum-enhanced diagnostic for electric fields in low-temperature plasmas. Trace amounts of rubidium vapor, added to argon plasma, allow us to produce spectrally narrow electric field-sensitive optical resonances via quantum optical effect of Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency, and to non-invasively measure electric field in plasma with sensitivity exceeding 1 V/cm. By collecting fluorescence from the illuminated region of interest, we reconstruct a 2D spatial profile of the electric field magnitude with $30~μ$m resolution. As a proof-of-principle demonstration, we measured the changes in electric field within the plasma sheath surrounding a biased Langmuir probe tip. This method holds significant potential for studying sheath structures in low-temperature plasmas.

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Mykhailo Vorobiov, Rob Behary, Will Torg, Nicolas DeStefano, Saskia Mordijck, Edward Thomas Jr., Saikat Chakraborty Thakur, Charles T. Fancher, Neel Malvania, Seth Aubin, Eugeniy E. Mikhailov, Irina Novikova. 2025-11-15. Non-perturbative 2D spatial measurements of electric fields within a plasma sheath. https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.12322

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