Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:0801.0119 · Physical Review A

Spectrum of coherently backscattered light from two atoms

Vyacheslav Shatokhin, Thomas Wellens, Benoît Grémaud, Andreas Buchleitner

Published Oct 22, 2007• 13 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We present a detailed analytical and numerical analysis of the inelastic coherent backscattering spectrum of laser light incident on cold atoms. We identify frequency domains where the interference contribution can be positive as well as negative---or exhibits dispersive character. These distinctive features are explained by reciprocity arguments and dressed-state two-photon scattering amplitudes.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.76.043832

Related papers

The coherent backscattering spectrum of laser light by two atoms

Vyacheslav Shatokhin, Thomas Wellens, Benoît Grémaud +1 more

We present a detailed analysis of the coherent backscattering spectrum of two atoms. We identify frequency domains where the interference contribution can be positive or negative, or exhibits dispersive features, and explain these distinctive features.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Jun 15, 2007•0 citations

Spectrum of coherent backscattering of light by two atoms

Shatokhin, V

We study theoretically inelastic spectrum of coherent backscattering of laser light by two atoms. For an intense laser field, there are frequency domains of not only constructive but also destructive (self-)interference of the inelastic photons. We interpret the emergent spectral features using the dressed states and considering coherent backscattering as a kind of the pump-probe experiment.

•Aug 10, 2006•3 citations

Spectrum of coherent backscattering of light by two atoms

V. N. Shatokhin

The inelastic spectrum of coherent backscattering of laser light by two atoms was theoretically studied. For an intense laser field, there are frequency domains of either constructive or destructive self-interference of inelastically scattered photons. The emergent spectral features were interpreted by considering coherent backscattering as a pump-probe experiment.

arXiv:quant-ph/0608094•Optics and Spectroscopy•Aug 1, 2007•5 citations

Coherent Inelastic Backscattering of Intense Laser Light by Cold Atoms

Vyacheslav Shatokhin, Cord Axel Müller, Andreas Buchleitner

We present a nonperturbative treatment of coherent backscattering of intense laser light from cold atoms and predict a nonvanishing backscattering signal even at very large intensities, due to the constructive (self-)interference of inelastically scattered photons.

arXiv:quant-ph/0409148•Physical Review Letters•Feb 2, 2005•46 citations

Coherent backscattering of light with nonlinear atomic scatterers

Thomas Wellens, Benoît Grémaud, Dominique Delande +1 more

We study coherent backscattering of a monochromatic laser by a dilute gas of cold two-level atoms in the weakly nonlinear regime. The nonlinear response of the atoms results in a modification of both the average field propagation (nonlinear refractive index) and the scattering events. Using a perturbative approach, the nonlinear effects arise from inelastic two-photon scattering processes. We present a detailed diagrammatic derivation of the elastic and inelastic components of the backscattering signal for both scalar and vectorial photons. In particular, we show that the coherent backscattering phenomenon originates in some cases from the interference between three different scattering amplitudes. This is in marked contrast with the linear regime where it is due to the interference between two different scattering amplitudes. In particular we show that, if elastically scattered photons are filtered out from the photodetection signal, the nonlinear backscattering enhancement factor exceeds the linear barrier of 2, consistently with a three-amplitude interference effect.

Physical Review A•Jan 4, 2006•27 citations

Coherent backscattering of light by two atoms in the saturated regime

Thomas Wellens, Benoît Grémaud, Dominique Delande +1 more

We present a calculation of coherent backscattering with inelastic scattering by saturated atoms. We consider the scattering of a quasimonochromatic laser pulse by two distant atoms in free space. By restricting ourselves to scattering of two photons, we employ a perturbative approach, valid up to second order in the incident laser intensity. The backscattering enhancement factor is found to be smaller than two (after excluding single scattering), indicating a loss of coherence between the doubly scattered light emitted by both atoms. Since the undetected photon carries information about the path of the detected photon, the coherence loss can be explained by a which-path argument, in analogy with a double-slit experiment.

arXiv:quant-ph/0403057•Physical Review A•Aug 26, 2004•36 citations
We present a detailed analytical and numerical analysis of the inelastic coherent backscattering spectrum of laser light incident on cold atoms. We identify frequency domains where the interference contribution can be positive as well as negative---or exhibits dispersive character. These distinctive features are explained by reciprocity arguments and dressed-state two-photon scattering amplitudes.
We study coherent backscattering of a monochromatic laser by a dilute gas of cold two-level atoms in the weakly nonlinear regime. The nonlinear response of the atoms results in a modification of both the average field propagation (nonlinear refractive index) and the scattering events. Using a perturbative approach, the nonlinear effects arise from inelastic two-photon scattering processes. We present a detailed diagrammatic derivation of the elastic and inelastic components of the backscattering signal for both scalar and vectorial photons. In particular, we show that the coherent backscattering phenomenon originates in some cases from the interference between three different scattering amplitudes. This is in marked contrast with the linear regime where it is due to the interference between two different scattering amplitudes. In particular we show that, if elastically scattered photons are filtered out from the photodetection signal, the nonlinear backscattering enhancement factor exceeds the linear barrier of 2, consistently with a three-amplitude interference effect.
We present a calculation of coherent backscattering with inelastic scattering by saturated atoms. We consider the scattering of a quasimonochromatic laser pulse by two distant atoms in free space. By restricting ourselves to scattering of two photons, we employ a perturbative approach, valid up to second order in the incident laser intensity. The backscattering enhancement factor is found to be smaller than two (after excluding single scattering), indicating a loss of coherence between the doubly scattered light emitted by both atoms. Since the undetected photon carries information about the path of the detected photon, the coherence loss can be explained by a which-path argument, in analogy with a double-slit experiment.