The SAI group has developed spectroscopic techniques for probing excited atoms near dielectric planar surfaces and metamaterials. Metamaterial technology is particularly important for the realization of high-performance devices in the THz (~300µm wavelength) range. However, the characterization of THz metamaterials is carried out in the far field and is limited by diffraction. For this reason, the development of near-field imaging with sub-wavelength resolution has recently become an important area of study. The SAI group is setting up a new project to probe the near-field of THz micro-resonators using a gas of Rydberg atoms as a quantum sensor. The detection of far-field THz waves has already been demonstrated using Rydberg atoms inside an atomic vapor cell that convert absorbed THz radiation into visible photons. The same technique can provide near-field information, if the atomic vapor is brought into contact with metamaterials. Additionally, this experiment can also be used to demonstrate control the Casimir-Polder Rydberg-metamaterial interaction. We are therefore proposing a Master’s internship to set up this new experiment. The student will be involved in the construction of a new atomic vapor cell with THz micro-resonators and will perform Rydberg-atom spectroscopy in the vicinity (near-field) of the resonators. This is a collaborative project, with J-M Manceau's group at C2N, specialists in THz devices.