  Rydberg atoms have attracted significant interest recently as electric field
sensors. In order to assess potential applications, detailed understanding of
relevant figures of merit is necessary, particularly in relation to other, more
mature, sensor technologies. Here we present a quantitative analysis of the
Rydberg sensor's sensitivity to oscillating electric fields with frequencies
between 1 kHz and 1 THz. Sensitivity is calculated using a combination of
analytical and semi-classical Floquet models. Using these models, optimal
sensitivity at arbitrary field frequency is determined. We validate the numeric
Floquet model via experimental Rydberg sensor measurements over a range of 1-20
GHz. Using analytical models, we compare with two prominent electric field
sensor technologies: electro-optic crystals and dipole antenna-coupled passive
electronics.
