arXiv:0909.1133 · Physical Review A
Near-resonance light scattering from a high-density ultracold atomic 87 Rb gas
Salim Balik, Aye Win, Mark D. Havey, Igor M. Sokolov, Dmitriy V. Kupriyanov
Abstract
We report a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of near-resonance light scattering from a high-density and ultracold atomic ${}^{87}$Rb gas. The atomic sample, having a peak density $\ensuremath{\sim}$$5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{13}$ atoms/cm${}^{3}$, temperature $\ensuremath{\sim}$65 $\ensuremath{\mu}$K, and initially prepared in the $F=1$ lower-energy ${}^{87}$Rb hyperfine component, is optically pumped to the higher-energy $F=2$ hyperfine level. Measurements are made of the transient hyperfine pumping process and of the time evolution of scattering of near-resonance probe radiation on the $F=2\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{F}^{\ensuremath{'}}=3$ transition. Features of the density, detuning, and temporal dependence of the signals are attributed to the high density and consequent large optical depth of the samples.