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

Institute of Physics eBooks

Scattering of atoms by light waves

Farhan Saif, Shinichi Watanabe

Published Dec 1, 2023• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In this chapter we consider the scattering of ultra-cold atoms exposed to a periodic optical potential. We explain Kapitza–Dirac scattering, Bragg diffraction, and Talbot scattering of atoms, and note that the external degrees of freedom or momentum states of the atom play a significant role in the scattering.
DOI
10.1088/978-0-7503-2308-6ch4

Related papers

Diffraction of atoms by light: The near-resonant Kapitza-Dirac effect

P. L. Gould, George A. Ruff, David E. Pritchard

We have observed the Kapitza-Dirac effect in the scattering of sodium atoms by a nearly resonant standing-wave laser field. The data clearly show diffraction peaks of the atomic momentum transfer at even multiples of the photon momentum. Theoretical predictions for an off-resonant, adiabatic interaction with a two-state system are in reasonable agreement with the data.

Physical Review Letters•Feb 24, 1986•408 citations

Bragg Scattering of Free Electrons Using the Kapitza-Dirac Effect

Daniel L. Freimund, Herman Batelaan

Bragg scattering has been observed for free electrons using a standing wave of light. Both the rocking curve and the angular electron distribution have been measured. The results of a numerical simulation to the Schrödinger equation are consistent with our experimental data. Unlike the diffraction regime which uses thin crystals, the Bragg regime requires the use of thick crystals. We point out several applications in atom optics that could be realized in electron optics.

Physical Review Letters•Dec 30, 2002•88 citations

Diffraction of Atoms Using Standing Wave Light

Tim Byrnes, Ebubechukwu O. Ilo-Okeke

This chapter discusses the basic physics of atom diffraction. Starting with a short review on the diffraction of light, we describe the absorption of photons by an atom and its subsequent emission, where the atom to changes its momentum and internal state. Assuming a two-level atom, we describe the coherent interactions of atoms with light, showing its effect on the ground state of the atoms. We further illustrate how the light impacts forces on the atom that can be used for trapping it in the light field. Next, we discuss Bragg diffraction of atoms, where the internal state of an atom is unchanged after diffraction. Here the external motional state of the atom is put in a linear superposition of its movement. Finally, we describe the diffraction of atoms by Raman pulses, where the internal state of the atom is changed after diffraction, while achieving directed motion.

Cambridge University Press eBooks•Jul 23, 2021•0 citations

Pulse loading ^87Rb Bose-Einstein condensation in optical lattice：the Kapitza-Dirac scattering and temporal matter-wave-dispersion Talbot effect

陈海霞, 熊德智, 王鹏军 +1 more

Chinese Optics Letters•Jan 1, 2010•0 citations

Nonadiabatic contributions to Bragg-regime dynamics in atomic Kapitza-Dirac scattering

Dylan Manna

Atomic Kapitza-Dirac Bragg regime scattering is a multiphoton process in which a neutral atom undergoes a change of momentum through an interaction with a coherent light source. When the Bragg conditions are met, the outgoing atom beams are spatially quantized. Counterpropagating lasers act as pump and probe scattering from far-off-resonant excited intermediate electronic states, leaving the atoms in the electronic ground state with quantized transverse momentum. Each nontrivial scattering event imparts transverse velocity and therefore kinetic energy to the deflected atoms through recoil. In the Bragg regime, the loss of energy in the light fields is equal to the gain of kinetic energy in the atom. Energy nonconserving intermediate states, which are described by nonadiabatic contributions, are not accounted for by first-order off-resonant states. By comparing the solutions of increasing orders of off-resonant intermediate states, it becomes clear that calculating the correct Pendell\"osung frequencies and phases requires including an ever increasing number of off-resonant states in proportion to the square root of the field strength.

arXiv:1709.05431•Physical Review A•Jun 15, 2020•1 citation

Bragg Scattering as a Probe of Atomic Wave Functions and Quantum Phase Transitions in Optical Lattices

Hirokazu Miyake, Georgios A. Siviloglou, Graciana Puentes +3 more

We have observed Bragg scattering of photons from quantum degenerate ^{87}Rb atoms in a three-dimensional optical lattice. Bragg scattered light directly probes the microscopic crystal structure and atomic wave function whose position and momentum width is Heisenberg limited. The spatial coherence of the wave function leads to revivals in the Bragg scattered light due to the atomic Talbot effect. The decay of revivals across the superfluid to Mott insulator transition indicates the loss of superfluid coherence.

arXiv:1108.5408•Physical Review Letters•Oct 21, 2011•56 citations
This chapter discusses the basic physics of atom diffraction. Starting with a short review on the diffraction of light, we describe the absorption of photons by an atom and its subsequent emission, where the atom to changes its momentum and internal state. Assuming a two-level atom, we describe the coherent interactions of atoms with light, showing its effect on the ground state of the atoms. We further illustrate how the light impacts forces on the atom that can be used for trapping it in the light field. Next, we discuss Bragg diffraction of atoms, where the internal state of an atom is unchanged after diffraction. Here the external motional state of the atom is put in a linear superposition of its movement. Finally, we describe the diffraction of atoms by Raman pulses, where the internal state of the atom is changed after diffraction, while achieving directed motion.
Atomic Kapitza-Dirac Bragg regime scattering is a multiphoton process in which a neutral atom undergoes a change of momentum through an interaction with a coherent light source. When the Bragg conditions are met, the outgoing atom beams are spatially quantized. Counterpropagating lasers act as pump and probe scattering from far-off-resonant excited intermediate electronic states, leaving the atoms in the electronic ground state with quantized transverse momentum. Each nontrivial scattering event imparts transverse velocity and therefore kinetic energy to the deflected atoms through recoil. In the Bragg regime, the loss of energy in the light fields is equal to the gain of kinetic energy in the atom. Energy nonconserving intermediate states, which are described by nonadiabatic contributions, are not accounted for by first-order off-resonant states. By comparing the solutions of increasing orders of off-resonant intermediate states, it becomes clear that calculating the correct Pendell\"osung frequencies and phases requires including an ever increasing number of off-resonant states in proportion to the square root of the field strength.
We have observed Bragg scattering of photons from quantum degenerate ^{87}Rb atoms in a three-dimensional optical lattice. Bragg scattered light directly probes the microscopic crystal structure and atomic wave function whose position and momentum width is Heisenberg limited. The spatial coherence of the wave function leads to revivals in the Bragg scattered light due to the atomic Talbot effect. The decay of revivals across the superfluid to Mott insulator transition indicates the loss of superfluid coherence.