Sensitive remote electric field measurements using water vapor as a molecular probe

L Lisa Kobodo (Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo 1 , 5-1-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561,) T Takeru Koike (Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo 1 , 5-1-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561,) D David Z. Pai (Institut PPRIME (CNRS UPR 3346, Université de Poitiers, ISAE-ENSMA) , 86962 Chasseneuil Futuroscope,) H Hitoshi Muneoka (Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo 1 , 5-1-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561,) K Kazuo Terashima (Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo 1 , 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561,) T Tsuyohito Ito (Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo 1 , 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561,)

Abstract

A number of molecular processes involving water molecules occur under the influence of electric fields and/or charges. This Letter demonstrates sensitive electric field detection as low as 5.6 V/mm via coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering, with water molecules acting as probes. Absorption of one of the two incident laser beams by water molecules explains a decrease in the signal intensity with vapor pressure, suggesting that this method has the potential to enable electric field measurement even with an unknown density of water molecules.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 128, Issue 20
Published May 18, 2026
ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences

Authors (6)

L

Lisa Kobodo

Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo 1 , 5-1-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561,

T

Takeru Koike

Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo 1 , 5-1-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561,

D

David Z. Pai

Institut PPRIME (CNRS UPR 3346, Université de Poitiers, ISAE-ENSMA) , 86962 Chasseneuil Futuroscope,

H

Hitoshi Muneoka

Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo 1 , 5-1-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561,

K

Kazuo Terashima

Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo 1 , 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561,

T

Tsuyohito Ito

Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo 1 , 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561,