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

Laser Physics

Two-dimensional quantum theory of collective light scattering from Bose-Einstein condensates

N. Piovella

Published Jan 1, 2003• 8 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

We present a two-dimensional description of the light scattering by collective atomic recoil for a configuration in which the pump and the scattered beams are orthogonal and the atoms are in a definite state of momentum. In the quantum recoil limit and for single-photon scattering, the analytical solution can be found explicitly, both in the good-cavity limit (i.e., with no radiation losses) and in the superradiant regime (without cavity) observed in the MIT experiment.

Related papers

Classical and quantum description of the atomic motion in superradiant light scattering from Bose-Einstein condensates

N. Piovella, M. Gatelli, L Martinucci +3 more

A theory of coherent light scattering from an elongated Bose-Einstein condensate exposed to an off-resonant laser beam is presented. The model describes the emission of two superradiant pulses along the sample's major axis simultaneous with the formation of a bidimensional atomic grating inside the sample, as was observed in a recent MIT experiment [Inouye, S. et al., 1999, Science, 285, 571]. We predictions of the semiclassical model, in which the atomic motion is treated classically, are compared with these of the quantum model, obtained including the quantum mechanical description of the atomic motion. In the quantum limit the superradiant regime becomes a sequential process, in which during each collective scattering atoms emit a it hyperbolic secant pulse and populate an adjacent momentum state.

Laser Physics•Jan 1, 2002•10 citations

Collective atomic recoil in a moving Bose-Einstein condensate: From superradiance to Bragg scattering

L. Fallani, C. Fort, N. Piovella +4 more

We present the results of an experiment on light scattering from an elongated Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) interacting with a far-off-resonant pump laser. By collective atomic recoil lasing (CARL) a coherent superposition of two atomic wave packets with different momenta is created. Varying the intensity of a weak counterpropagating laser beam we observe the transition from the pure superradiant regime to the Bragg scattering regime, where Rabi oscillations in a two-level system are observed. The process is limited by the decoherence between the two atomic wave packets. In the superradiant regime the experiment gives evidence of a contribution to decoherence which depends on the initial velocity of the condensate. The system is described by the CARL-BEC model, which is a generalization of the Gross-Pitaevskii model to include the self-consistent evolution of the scattered field and a phase-diffusion decoherence process, which accounts for the observed damping.

Physical Review A•Mar 8, 2005•74 citations

Theory of collective Raman scattering from a Bose-Einstein condensate

Mary M. Cola, N. Piovella

Recent experiments have demonstrated superradiant Raman scattering from a Bose-Einstein condensate driven by a single off-resonant laser beam. We present a quantum theory describing this phenomenon, showing Raman amplification of matter wave due to collective atomic recoil from 3-level atoms in a $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$-configuration. When atoms are initially in a single lower internal state, a closed two-level system is realized between atoms with different internal states, and entangled atom-photon pairs can be generated. When atoms are initially prepared in both the lower internal states, a fraction of atoms recoiling in the backward direction can be generated.

arXiv:cond-mat/0405514•Physical Review A•Oct 14, 2004•23 citations

Cavity-Controlled Collective Scattering at the Recoil Limit

Simone Bux, Christine Gnahm, Reinhardt A. W. Maier +2 more

We study collective scattering with Bose-Einstein condensates interacting with a high-finesse ring cavity. The condensate scatters the light of a transverse pump beam superradiantly into modes which, in contrast to previous experiments, are not determined by the geometrical shape of the condensate, but specified by a resonant cavity mode. Moreover, since the recoil-shifted frequency of the scattered light depends on the initial momentum of the scattered fraction of the condensate, we show that it is possible to employ the good resolution of the cavity as a filter selecting particular quantized momentum states.

arXiv:1101.2391•Physical Review Letters•May 20, 2011•36 citations

Superradiant light scattering and grating formation in cold atomic vapours

R. Bonifacio, Brian W J McNeil, N. Piovella +1 more

A semi-classical theory of coherent light scattering from an elongated sample of cold atoms exposed to an off-resonant laser beam is presented. The model, which is a direct extension of that of the collective atomic recoil laser (CARL), describes the emission of two superradiant pulses along the sample's major axis simultaneous with the formation of a bidimensional atomic grating inside the sample. It provides a simple physical picture of the recent observation of collective light scattering from a Bose-Einstein condensate [S. Inouye et al., Science N.285, p. 571 (1999)]. In addition, the model provides an analytical description of the temporal evolution of the scattered light intensity which shows good quantitative agreement with the experimental results of Inouye et al.

arXiv:cond-mat/0006135•Jun 8, 2000•0 citations

Cooperative effects in atom field interactions in a Bose–Einstein condensate

Csaba Benedek, M. G. Benedict

Using a semiclassical theory we give a unified approach to a class of coherent atom field interactions in a Bose–Einstein condensate, including superradiant light scattering, coherent amplification of atoms, and coherent light amplification. The populations of the excited states are explicitly taken into account, and the role of the recoil kinetic energies of the atoms with different momenta is discussed. In addition to the known features of superradiant emission, we obtain a shift in the spectrum of the scattered light as a consequence of the atomic recoil. The same theoretical method yields results that are in agreement with the experimental findings for atomic beam amplification, as well as for light amplification. Considering the atomic beam amplification process, we obtain a single outgoing amplified atomic beam. In treating the coherent light amplification, the unexpectedly small group velocity seen in the experiments is reproduced, and connected to the double Λ configuration of the levels involved.

Journal of Optics B Quantum and Semiclassical Optics•Mar 1, 2004•26 citations
We present a two-dimensional description of the light scattering by collective atomic recoil for a configuration in which the pump and the scattered beams are orthogonal and the atoms are in a definite state of momentum. In the quantum recoil limit and for single-photon scattering, the analytical solution can be found explicitly, both in the good-cavity limit (i.e., with no radiation losses) and in the superradiant regime (without cavity) observed in the MIT experiment.
A theory of coherent light scattering from an elongated Bose-Einstein condensate exposed to an off-resonant laser beam is presented. The model describes the emission of two superradiant pulses along the sample's major axis simultaneous with the formation of a bidimensional atomic grating inside the sample, as was observed in a recent MIT experiment [Inouye, S. et al., 1999, Science, 285, 571]. We predictions of the semiclassical model, in which the atomic motion is treated classically, are compared with these of the quantum model, obtained including the quantum mechanical description of the atomic motion. In the quantum limit the superradiant regime becomes a sequential process, in which during each collective scattering atoms emit a it hyperbolic secant pulse and populate an adjacent momentum state.
We present the results of an experiment on light scattering from an elongated Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) interacting with a far-off-resonant pump laser. By collective atomic recoil lasing (CARL) a coherent superposition of two atomic wave packets with different momenta is created. Varying the intensity of a weak counterpropagating laser beam we observe the transition from the pure superradiant regime to the Bragg scattering regime, where Rabi oscillations in a two-level system are observed. The process is limited by the decoherence between the two atomic wave packets. In the superradiant regime the experiment gives evidence of a contribution to decoherence which depends on the initial velocity of the condensate. The system is described by the CARL-BEC model, which is a generalization of the Gross-Pitaevskii model to include the self-consistent evolution of the scattered field and a phase-diffusion decoherence process, which accounts for the observed damping.
Recent experiments have demonstrated superradiant Raman scattering from a Bose-Einstein condensate driven by a single off-resonant laser beam. We present a quantum theory describing this phenomenon, showing Raman amplification of matter wave due to collective atomic recoil from 3-level atoms in a $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$-configuration. When atoms are initially in a single lower internal state, a closed two-level system is realized between atoms with different internal states, and entangled atom-photon pairs can be generated. When atoms are initially prepared in both the lower internal states, a fraction of atoms recoiling in the backward direction can be generated.
We study collective scattering with Bose-Einstein condensates interacting with a high-finesse ring cavity. The condensate scatters the light of a transverse pump beam superradiantly into modes which, in contrast to previous experiments, are not determined by the geometrical shape of the condensate, but specified by a resonant cavity mode. Moreover, since the recoil-shifted frequency of the scattered light depends on the initial momentum of the scattered fraction of the condensate, we show that it is possible to employ the good resolution of the cavity as a filter selecting particular quantized momentum states.
A semi-classical theory of coherent light scattering from an elongated sample of cold atoms exposed to an off-resonant laser beam is presented. The model, which is a direct extension of that of the collective atomic recoil laser (CARL), describes the emission of two superradiant pulses along the sample's major axis simultaneous with the formation of a bidimensional atomic grating inside the sample. It provides a simple physical picture of the recent observation of collective light scattering from a Bose-Einstein condensate [S. Inouye et al., Science N.285, p. 571 (1999)]. In addition, the model provides an analytical description of the temporal evolution of the scattered light intensity which shows good quantitative agreement with the experimental results of Inouye et al.
Using a semiclassical theory we give a unified approach to a class of coherent atom field interactions in a Bose–Einstein condensate, including superradiant light scattering, coherent amplification of atoms, and coherent light amplification. The populations of the excited states are explicitly taken into account, and the role of the recoil kinetic energies of the atoms with different momenta is discussed. In addition to the known features of superradiant emission, we obtain a shift in the spectrum of the scattered light as a consequence of the atomic recoil. The same theoretical method yields results that are in agreement with the experimental findings for atomic beam amplification, as well as for light amplification. Considering the atomic beam amplification process, we obtain a single outgoing amplified atomic beam. In treating the coherent light amplification, the unexpectedly small group velocity seen in the experiments is reproduced, and connected to the double Λ configuration of the levels involved.