Zero-point electromagnetic fields were first introduced to explain the originof atomic spontaneous emission. Vacuum fluctuations associated with thezero-point energy in cavities are now utilized in quantum devices such assingle-photon sources, quantum memories, switches and network nodes. Here wepresent three-dimensional (3D) imaging of vacuum fluctuations in a high-Qcavity based on the measurement of position-dependent emission of single atoms.Atomic position localization is achieved by using a nanoscale atomic beamaperture scannable in front of the cavity mode. The 3D structure of the cavityvacuum is reconstructed from the cavity output. The root mean squared amplitudeof the vacuum field at the antinode is also measured to be 0.92+-0.07V/cm. Thepresent work utilizing a single atom as a probe for sub-wavelength imagingdemonstrates the utility of nanometre-scale technology in cavity quantumelectrodynamics.
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