Abstract: In a general aspect, a method is described herein for detecting the phase properties of a radio frequency (RF) wave. The method includes generating an optical signal by interacting laser signals with a vapor of a vapor cell sensor. The optical signal is based on a transmission of one of the laser signals through the vapor. The method also includes altering an intensity of the optical signal by interacting a target RF electromagnetic field with a Rydberg electronic transition of the vapor. The target RF electromagnetic field includes a time series of RF pulses. The method additionally includes determining, by operation of a signal processing system, a magnitude of phase change in the time series of RF pulses. In some implementations, the method includes determining a phase of a target RF pulse in the times series of RF pulses.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a system is described herein for detecting the phase properties of a radio frequency (RF) wave. The system includes a vapor cell sensor that contains a vapor and is configured to generate an optical signal in response to laser signals that interact with the vapor. The vapor has a Rydberg electronic transition that interacts with a target RF electromagnetic field, and the optical signal is based on a transmission of one of the laser signals through the vapor. The system also includes an optical detection system and a signal processing system. The optical detection system is configured to generate a detector signal in response to receiving the optical signal, and the signal processing system is configured to receive the detector signal and perform operations that determine a phase change of the target RF electromagnetic field.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a radiometer is disclosed that includes a vapor cell sensor. The vapor cell sensor contains a vapor and is configured to generate an optical signal in response to laser signals and thermal radiation interacting with the vapor. The vapor includes a Rydberg electronic transition that is configured to interact with the thermal radiation. The radiometer also includes a computing system having one or more processors and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, are configured to perform operations that include generating, based on the optical signal, transmission data that represents the transmission of the one laser signal through the vapor. The operations also include determining, based on the transmission data, a temperature of a target body that generates the thermal radiation.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a radiometer is disclosed that includes a vapor cell sensor. The vapor cell sensor contains a vapor and is configured to generate an optical signal in response to laser signals and thermal radiation interacting with the vapor. The vapor includes a Rydberg electronic transition that is configured to interact with the thermal radiation. The radiometer also includes a computing system having one or more processors and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, are configured to perform operations that include generating, based on the optical signal, transmission data that represents the transmission of the one laser signal through the vapor. The operations also include determining, based on the transmission data, a temperature of a target body that generates the thermal radiation.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a vapor cell includes a body defined by a stack of layers that includes electrically conductive layers and electrically insulating layers. The stack of layers are bonded to each other and have first and second end layers at respective opposite ends of the body. The stack of layers also has intermediate layers between the first and second end layers that define an internal cavity of the body. The internal cavity extends through the body between the first and second end layers and includes a vapor or a source of the vapor disposed therein. Adjacent electrically conductive layers are separated by at least one electrically insulating layer. Moreover, each electrically conductive layer defines an electrode of the vapor cell and includes a contact surface on an exterior side of the body. The contact surface defines an electrical contact of the electrode.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a method includes interacting a beam of light with a vapor in a vapor cell. The vapor cell includes a body defined by a stack of layers that includes electrically conductive layers and electrically insulating layers. The stack of layers are bonded to each other and have first and second end layers at respective opposite ends of the body. The stack of layers also has intermediate layers between the first and second end layers that define an internal cavity of the body. A vapor is disposed in the internal cavity. The method includes applying respective voltages to one or more electrodes to alter an electric field in the internal cavity. The method also includes measuring one or both of an ion signal based on charged particles in the vapor and an optical property of the beam of light after interacting with the vapor.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument for introduction into a cutting trocar sleeve possesses an essentially tubular housing shank, which at its distal end able to be introduced into the trocar is provided with an essentially tubular distal section able to be flexed. The distal section possesses at least one cutting means able to be deformed into a working state thereof together with the distal section. At the second, proximal end of the housing shank actuating means are provided with which the cutting means may be moved out of the form as inserted into the working form. The housing shank has a fluid duct, which adjacent to the housing shank distal section is provided with at least one outlet opening. The fluid duct is able to be bent into an arc at the distal section like the cutting means and has a fluid inlet opening at the proximal end thereof.