New Atom-Based Thermometer Offers Unprecedented Accuracy in Temperature Measurement
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 30, 2025

Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed an innovative thermometer that measures temperature with incredible precision. The device uses Rydberg atoms, which are manipulated to such high energy states that they become about 1,000 times larger than their normal form. By observing how these Rydberg atoms react to heat in their environment, researchers can achieve exceptionally accurate temperature measurements. This cutting-edge thermometer could transform temperature measurement across a variety of fields, including quantum research and industrial manufacturing.

In contrast to conventional thermometers, which require factory calibration, the Rydberg thermometer operates directly based on fundamental quantum principles. These principles ensure precise readings and are intrinsically linked to international measurement standards.

"We're essentially creating a thermometer that can provide accurate temperature readings without the usual calibrations that current thermometers require," explained Noah Schlossberger, a postdoctoral researcher at NIST.

Revolutionizing Temperature Measurement

The breakthrough research, published in Physical Review Research, marks the first successful use of Rydberg atoms for temperature measurement. To build this thermometer, researchers filled a vacuum chamber with rubidium atoms, cooling them close to absolute zero using lasers and magnetic fields. The atoms were then made nearly motionless, with their outer electrons elevated to extremely high orbits by lasers, making them 1,000 times larger than typical rubidium atoms.

Rydberg atoms are particularly sensitive because their outermost electron is far from the atomic nucleus, making them responsive to external electric fields and other influences like blackbody radiation - the heat emitted by surrounding objects. As the temperature rises, this radiation increases, causing the atoms' electrons to jump to even higher orbits. By monitoring these energy transitions, scientists can accurately measure temperature changes.

This method enables temperature detection with remarkable sensitivity, allowing the thermometer to measure temperatures ranging from about 0 to 100 degrees Celsius without direct contact with the object.

Other quantum thermometers exist, but the Rydberg version is unique in its precision and contactless capability. The breakthrough also has significant implications for atomic clocks, as they can be disrupted by temperature fluctuations, which affect their accuracy.

"Atomic clocks are exceptionally sensitive to temperature changes, which can cause small errors in their measurements," said Chris Holloway, a research scientist at NIST. "We're hopeful this new technology could help make our atomic clocks even more accurate."

Beyond its use in precision science, the new thermometer has vast potential for applications in demanding environments, such as spacecraft and advanced manufacturing plants, where precise temperature measurements are critical.

"This method opens a door to a world where temperature measurements are as reliable as the fundamental constants of nature," Holloway added. "It's an exciting step forward for quantum sensing technology."

Research Report:Primary quantum thermometry of mm-wave blackbody radiation via induced state transfer in Rydberg states of cold atoms

Related Links
National Institute of Standards and Technology
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