Radiative force for an optically polarized atom

M. Ya. Agre, Л. П. Рапопорт, M. E. Alferieff

O. N. Gadomskiĭ, A. G. Glukhov

The forces acting on interacting moving atoms exposed to resonant laser radiation are calculated. It is shown that the forces acting on the atoms include the radiation pressure forces as well as the external and internal bias forces. The dependences of the forces on the atomic spacing, polarization, and laser radiation frequency are given. It is found that the internal bias force associated with the interaction of atomic dipoles via the reemitted field may play an important role in the dynamics of dense atomic ensembles in a light field. It is shown that optical size resonances appear in the system of interacting atoms at frequencies differing substantially from transition frequencies in the spectrum of atoms. It is noted that optical size resonances as well as the Doppler frequency shift in the spectrum of interacting atoms play a significant role in the processes of laser-radiation-controlled motion of the atoms.

Rudolf Grimm, Vladilen S Letokhov, Yu. B. Ovchinnikov +1 more

We report the theoretical prediction and the observation of a stimulated novel magneto-optical radiation force, acting on atoms located in a static magnetic field and irradiated by the resonant field of two counterpropagating monochromatic laser beams with different directions of polarization.

G. S. Summy, Benjamin T. H. Varcoe, W. R. MacGillivray +1 more

An experimental demonstration of the state-dependent nature of the forces exerted on an atom by resonant radiation is reported. Sodium atoms, which are contained in a highly collimated beam, are initially prepared in a particular ground hyperfine substate by optical pumping. They are then deflected by resonant laser radiation of known polarization. Measurements of the magnitude of the deflection show a dependence on the way the atoms were initially prepared, confirming the predictions of a recently developed theoretical model. The experimental data show good agreement with calculations of the theory using a full quantum electrodynamic description of the sodium transition involved.

FRANK B. ROSMEJ, Valery Alexandrovich Astapenko, Valery S. Lisitsa