We report an experimental study of near resonance light scattering on the $F = 1 \rightarrow F' = 0$ component of the $D_2$ line in atomic $^{87}Rb$ . Experiments are performed on spatially bi-Gaussian ultracold gas samples having peak densities ranging from about $5 \cdot 10^{12} - 5 \cdot 10^{13}$ atoms/cm $^{3}$ and for a range of resonance saturation parameters and detunings from atomic resonance. Time resolution of the scattered light intensity reveals dynamics of multiple light scattering, optical pumping, and saturation effects. The experimental results in steady-state are compared qualitatively with theoretical models of the light scattering process. The steady-state line shape of the excitation spectrum is in good qualitative agreement with these models.We report an experimental study of near resonance light scattering on the $F = 1 \rightarrow F' = 0$ component of the $D_2$ line in atomic $^{87}Rb$. Experiments are performed on spatially bi-Gaussian ultracold gas samples having peak densities ranging from about $5 \cdot 10^{12} - 5 \cdot 10^{13}$ atoms/cm$^{3}$ and for a range of resonance saturation parameters and detunings from atomic resonance. Time resolution of the scattered light intensity reveals dynamics of multiple light scattering, optical pumping, and saturation effects. The experimental results in steady-state are compared qualitatively with theoretical models of the light scattering process. The steady-state line shape of the excitation spectrum is in good qualitative agreement with these models.

arXiv:1303.0037Feb 28, 20130 citations

A theory of resonant light scattering

Robin M. Hochstrasser, Frank A. Novak

Chemical Physics LettersAug 1, 197616 citations

Strong-field coherent backscattering of light in ultracold atomic 85Rb

Salim Balik, P. Kulatunga, Charles I. Sukenik +3 more

We report experimental observations of polarization-dependent coherence loss occurring in strong-field multiple scattering of light in ultracold atomic 85Rb. A measure of coherence in multiple light scattering is the degree of contrast of the coherent backscattering enhancement from the vapour. For resonance saturation parameters up to 9, we see light-polarization-dependent modification of the backscattering enhancement, suggesting that inelastic atomic light scattering and dynamic atomic magnetization may play important roles in the multiple scattering process for 85Rb.We report experimental observations of polarization-dependent coherence loss occurring in strong-field multiple scattering of light in ultracold atomic 85Rb. A measure of coherence in multiple light scattering is the degree of contrast of the coherent backscattering enhancement from the vapour. For resonance saturation parameters up to 9, we see light-polarization-dependent modification of the backscattering enhancement, suggesting that inelastic atomic light scattering and dynamic atomic magnetization may play important roles in the multiple scattering process for 85Rb.

Journal of Modern OpticsNov 10, 200526 citations

Redistribution of light frequency by multiple scattering in a resonant atomic vapor

J. C. de Aquino Carvalho, Marcos Oriá, Martine Chevrollier +2 more

The propagation of light in a resonant atomic vapor can a priori be thought of as a multiple scattering process, in which each scattering event redistributes both the direction and the frequency of the photons. Particularly, the frequency redistribution may result in L\'evy flights of photons, directly affecting the transport properties of light in a resonant atomic vapor and turning this propagation into a superdiffusion process. Here, we report on a Monte Carlo simulation developed to study the evolution of the spectrum of the light in a resonant thermal vapor. We observe the gradual change of the spectrum and its convergence towards a regime of complete frequency redistribution as the number of scattering events increases. We also analyze the probability density function of the step length of photons between emissions and reabsorptions in the vapor, which governs the statistics of the light diffusion. We observe two different regimes in the light transport: superdiffusion when the vapor is excited near the line center and normal diffusion for excitation far from the line center. The regime of complete frequency redistribution is not reached for excitation far from resonance even after many absorption and reemission cycles due to correlations between emitted and absorbed frequencies.The propagation of light in a resonant atomic vapor can a priori be thought of as a multiple scattering process, in which each scattering event redistributes both the direction and the frequency of the photons. Particularly, the frequency redistribution may result in L\'evy flights of photons, directly affecting the transport properties of light in a resonant atomic vapor and turning this propagation into a superdiffusion process. Here, we report on a Monte Carlo simulation developed to study the evolution of the spectrum of the light in a resonant thermal vapor. We observe the gradual change of the spectrum and its convergence towards a regime of complete frequency redistribution as the number of scattering events increases. We also analyze the probability density function of the step length of photons between emissions and reabsorptions in the vapor, which governs the statistics of the light diffusion. We observe two different regimes in the light transport: superdiffusion when the vapor is excited near the line center and normal diffusion for excitation far from the line center. The regime of complete frequency redistribution is not reached for excitation far from resonance even after many absorption and reemission cycles due to correlations between emitted and absorbed frequencies.

arXiv:1506.05683Physical Review AMay 22, 201514 citations

RESONANT SCATTERING OF LIGHT BY LIGHT.

Z. Kunszt, R.M. Muradyan, V.M. Ter-Atonyan

Jan 1, 19701 citation

We report an experimental study of near resonance light scattering on the

F = 1 \rightarrow F' = 0

component of the

D_2

line in atomic

^{87}Rb

. Experiments are performed on spatially bi-Gaussian ultracold gas samples having peak densities ranging from about

5 \cdot 10^{12} - 5 \cdot 10^{13}

atoms/cm

^{3}

and for a range of resonance saturation parameters and detunings from atomic resonance. Time resolution of the scattered light intensity reveals dynamics of multiple light scattering, optical pumping, and saturation effects. The experimental results in steady-state are compared qualitatively with theoretical models of the light scattering process. The steady-state line shape of the excitation spectrum is in good qualitative agreement with these models.