arXiv:1002.1630

Introduction of coherence in astrophysical spectroscopy

Jacques Moret‐Bailly

Published Feb 8, 2010• 0 citations

Abstract

By confusing the radiance of a single mode light beam, constant in a transparent medium, with the irradiance which decreases away from the source, Menzel purports to show that coherent interactions of light with the diluted media of astrophysics, are negligible. Therefore, to study the interaction of light with gases, astrophysicists use Monte Carlo computations which work to study nuclear systems, but not optics: optical modes which may be defined in inhomogeneous media or for the emissions of single atoms interact coherently with these systems: a unique formula represents, according to the sign of a parameter, absorption and coherent emission. The optical and spectroscopic properties of a very simple model, an extremely hot source in an isotropic cloud of pure, low pressure, initially cold, huge hydrogen cloud are studied using Planck's and Einstein's theories. The similarities of the images and the spectra of this simple model with astronomical observations, for instance of SNR1987A, Einstein cross, lyman break galaxies, quasars,... is so large that this model may be an elementary first step in the study of many astrophysical objects. Adaptations of the model to complex astrophysical systems could represent them using only the old, standard theories of physics commonly used in laser spectroscopy.

DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.1002.1630

Related papers

Propagation of light in low pressure gas

Jacques Moret‐Bailly

The criticism by W. E. Lamb, W. Schleich, M. Scully, C. Townes of a simplified quantum electrodynamics which represents the photon as a true particle is illustrated. Collisions being absent in low-pressure gas, exchanges of energy are radiative and coherent. Thin shells of plasma containing atoms in a model introduced by Strömgren are superradiant, seen as circles possibly dotted. Spectral radiance of novae has magnitude of laser radiance, and column densities are large in nebulae: Superradiance, multiphoton effects, etc., work in astrophysics. The superradiant beams induce multiphotonic scatterings of light emitted by the stars, brightening the limbs of plasma bubbles and darkening the stars. In excited atomic hydrogen, impulsive Raman scatterings shift frequencies of light. Microwaves exchanged with the Pioneer probes are blueshifted, simulating anomalous accelerations. Substituting coherence for wrong calculations in astrophysical papers, improves results, avoids "new physics".

arXiv:1204.3526Apr 13, 20120 citations

Coherent interactions of low pressure atomic hydrogen with light emitted by an extremely hot black source.

Jacques Moret‐Bailly

For a long time, coherent interactions of light with gas wereconsidered as negligible [1]. After discovery of lasers, manyapplications were found [2], thought it remains discussions [3].Here, we study propagation of light emitted by the simplestsource (a very hot blackbody), and propagating in the simplestmedium (collisionless atomic hydrogen), because it seems thatthis work was never done. For this, we use only well known,theoretically and experimentally studied laws of physics.

Aug 1, 20170 citations

1 Photonic Astronomy and Quantum Optics

Dainis Dravins, See Profile, Dainis Dravins

Abstract Quantum optics potentially offers an information channel from the Uni-verse beyond the established ones of imaging and spectroscopy. All existing cam-eras and all spectrometers measure aspects of the first-order spatial and/or temporal coherence of light. However, light has additional degrees of freedom, manifest in the statistics of photon arrival times, or in the amount of photon orbital angular mo-mentum. Such quantum-optical measures may carry information on how the light was created at the source, and whether it reached the observer directly or via some intermediate process. Astronomical quantum optics may help to clarify emission processes in natural laser sources and in the environments of compact objects, while high-speed photon-counting with digital signal handling enables multi-element and long-baseline versions of the intensity interferometer. Time resolutions of nanosec-onds are required, as are large photon fluxes, making photonic astronomy very timely in an era of large telescopes. 1 What Is Observed in Astronomy? Almost all of astronomy depends on the interpretation of properties of electromag-netic radiation (“light”) from celestial sources. The sole exceptions are neutrino detections; gravitational-wave searches; analyses of cosmic rays, meteorites, and other extraterrestrial materials; and in-situ studies of solar-system bodies. All our other understanding of the Universe rests upon observing and interpreting more or less subtle properties in the light reaching us from celestial bodies. Astronomical telescopes are equipped with myriads of auxiliary instruments which, on first sight, may give an impression of being vastly different. However, a closer examination of the underlying physical principles reveals that they all are measuring either the spatial or temporal [first-order] coherence of light (or perhaps some combination of these). All imaging devices (cameras, interferometers) are studying aspects of the spatial coherence (in various directions, and for different angular extents on the sky). All spectrally analyzing devices measure aspects of the

Jan 1, 200811 citations

Optical spectroscopy of Bose-Einstein condensates at finite temperature

R. M. F. Andersen, Laurits Nikolaj Stokholm, I. Zebergs +4 more

We report on optical spectroscopic measurements of ultracold and partially condensed 87Rb gases, which show distinct spectral features due to the thermal and the Bose condensed components in the frequency domain. These features are detected in-situ by using a dark-field configuration with single-photon sensitivity and a frequency-agile laser system. To interpret the observed spectra, we develop a model for light propagation through an inhomogeneous atomic cloud. This model enables the extraction of temperature and atom number, which we benchmark against conventional time-of-flight absorption imaging. The spectroscopically obtained cloud parameters show enhanced sensitivity to small thermal fractions in nearly pure condensates. We further compare the spectroscopy in dark-field and bright-field configurations, demonstrating the superior performance of the former. Our results reveal previously unexplored spectral structure in optically dense ultracold gases and establish spectroscopy as a tool for characterizing ultracold systems at very low temperatures.

arXiv:2606.24568Physical Review AOct 21, 20260 citations

Optical Coherence and Quantum Optics

L. Mandeļ, E. Wolf

This book presents a systematic account of optical coherence theory within the framework of classical optics, as applied to such topics as radiation from sources of different states of coherence, foundations of radiometry, effects of source coherence on the spectra of radiated fields, coherence theory of laser modes, and scattering of partially coherent light by random media. The book starts with a full mathematical introduction to the subject area and each chapter concludes with a set of exercises. The authors are renowned scientists and have made substantial contributions to many of the topics treated in the book. Much of the book is based on courses given by them at universities, scientific meetings and laboratories throughout the world. This book will undoubtedly become an indispensable aid to scientists and engineers concerned with modern optics, as well as to teachers and graduate students of physics and engineering.

Cambridge University Press eBooksSep 29, 19958,352 citations

Super- and subradiance in a dilute cloud of cold atoms

M. Araujo

The problem of the interaction of N atoms with a laser beam and vacuum modes can give rise to many interesting phenomena concerning the spontaneous emission of light and its propagation in the medium. The cooperative effects, for example, such as superadiance and subradiance, are effects related to the coherence created between the atoms when a photon is emitted spontaneously by a single excited atom. Superradiance can be defined as the enhancement of the spontaneous emission due to constructive interference of the scattered light. Its counterpart, subradiance, is the trapping of some remaining light due to destructive interference. In cold atoms, some previous theoretical works predict and characterize these two cooperative effects in a large and diluted atomic cloud, in the regime of low intensities and large detunings of the incident laser. The theoretical model is a coupled-dipole model for two-level atoms driven by a low-intensity field and in the scalar approach. The experiment consists in measuring the super- and subradiant decay rates from the temporal emitted intensity after the switch off of the incident laser in the steady state. Our experimental setup consists in a magneto-optical trap of rubidium 87 atoms at large resonant optical thicknesses. A probe beam excites the atoms close to the D2 line. The intensity emitted is detected by a single photon detector with no afterpulsing and a calibration procedure allows us to determine the resonant optical thickness of the cloud and its temperature. In this work, we report the experimental observation of super- and subradiance in a large cloud of cold atoms. For subradiance, the main result is the linear evolution of the characteristic time with the resonant optical thickness of the cloud and its independence of the detuning. For superradiance, we observe superradiance out of the forward direction. We verify the validity of our interpretations with the predictions of the coupled-dipole model. Finally, we discuss the interplay of subradiance and radiation trapping, as well as theoretical predictions for: a setup of a phased cloud, to control the subradiant amplitude emission; and temperature effects, where subradiance is shown to be robust in a large range of temperatures.

Dec 11, 20180 citations