The forward scattering of a resonant intense and broad-band (of the order of 1 GHz) laser light on sodium atoms is described. The experimental results for the D 1 and D 2 sodium lines (the 3 2 S 1/2 -3 2 P 1/2 and 3 2 S 1/2 -3 2 P 3/2 transitions) are compared with those of the scattering of the light from a conventional spectral lamp and from a monochromatic laser. The observed differences are explained by taking into account the Zeeman coherences created in the irradiated atoms and the concept of the 'hyperfine uncoupling' is proposed for describing the interaction of atoms with the broad-band laser light.The forward scattering of a resonant intense and broad-band (of the order of 1 GHz) laser light on sodium atoms is described. The experimental results for the D 1 and D 2 sodium lines (the 3 2 S 1/2 -3 2 P 1/2 and 3 2 S 1/2 -3 2 P 3/2 transitions) are compared with those of the scattering of the light from a conventional spectral lamp and from a monochromatic laser. The observed differences are explained by taking into account the Zeeman coherences created in the irradiated atoms and the concept of the 'hyperfine uncoupling' is proposed for describing the interaction of atoms with the broad-band laser light.

Journal of Physics B Atomic and Molecular PhysicsNov 14, 198710 citations

On the Coherent Scattering of Light

А. П. Иванов, A. Ya. Khaĭrullina

OptSpJul 1, 19673 citations

Nonlinear ring structures in forward scattering of resonant monochromatic laser radiation

Peter Jungner, Anne Lindberg, Birger Stahlberg

We present experimental and theoretical investigations of a Gaussian laser beam interacting with Zeeman-tuned J=1\ensuremath{\rightarrow}J=0 atomic systems. In our experiment a single-mode cw dye-laser beam traverses a neon discharge in a longitudinal magnetic field. The excited neon transitions used for these studies are 1 ${\mathit{s}}_{4}$ (J=1,g=1.464)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2 ${\mathit{p}}_{3}$ (J=0) and 1 ${\mathit{s}}_{2}$ (J=1,g=1.034)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2 ${\mathit{p}}_{1}$ (J=0). In the laser-induced forward-scattered light, dark and bright ring-shaped structures are observed. The ring structures are investigated as a function of the magnetic detuning of the m=\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1 sublevels and as a function of the laser-beam power. We find that the line shapes of the spectra, i.e., the forward-scattered light intensities as a function of the magnetic detuning, are sensitive to the transverse intensity distribution of the laser beam. Analytical expressions based on a semiclassical theory are derived and the calculated results on the ring structures and the spectra are compared with the experimental results. Good agreement between the calculated and the experimental results are obtained only when the transverse effects are taken into account.We present experimental and theoretical investigations of a Gaussian laser beam interacting with Zeeman-tuned J=1\ensuremath{\rightarrow}J=0 atomic systems. In our experiment a single-mode cw dye-laser beam traverses a neon discharge in a longitudinal magnetic field. The excited neon transitions used for these studies are 1${\mathit{s}}_{4}$(J=1,g=1.464)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2${\mathit{p}}_{3}$(J=0) and 1${\mathit{s}}_{2}$(J=1,g=1.034)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2${\mathit{p}}_{1}$(J=0). In the laser-induced forward-scattered light, dark and bright ring-shaped structures are observed. The ring structures are investigated as a function of the magnetic detuning of the m=\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1 sublevels and as a function of the laser-beam power. We find that the line shapes of the spectra, i.e., the forward-scattered light intensities as a function of the magnetic detuning, are sensitive to the transverse intensity distribution of the laser beam. Analytical expressions based on a semiclassical theory are derived and the calculated results on the ring structures and the spectra are compared with the experimental results. Good agreement between the calculated and the experimental results are obtained only when the transverse effects are taken into account.

Physical Review AAug 1, 19934 citations

Nonlinear light scattering effects in inhomogeneous media and their possible use in lasers

G. B. Altshuler, Vadim S. Ermolaev, K. I. Krylov +1 more

IzSSRAug 1, 19840 citations

{\mathit{s}}_{4}

(J=1,g=1.464)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2

{\mathit{p}}_{3}

(J=0) and 1

{\mathit{s}}_{2}

(J=1,g=1.034)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2

{\mathit{p}}_{1}

(J=0). In the laser-induced forward-scattered light, dark and bright ring-shaped structures are observed. The ring structures are investigated as a function of the magnetic detuning of the m=\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1 sublevels and as a function of the laser-beam power. We find that the line shapes of the spectra, i.e., the forward-scattered light intensities as a function of the magnetic detuning, are sensitive to the transverse intensity distribution of the laser beam. Analytical expressions based on a semiclassical theory are derived and the calculated results on the ring structures and the spectra are compared with the experimental results. Good agreement between the calculated and the experimental results are obtained only when the transverse effects are taken into account.