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arXiv:physics/9911010 · Physical Review Letters

Coherent Backscattering of Light by Cold Atoms

G. Labeyrie, F. De Tomasi, J.-C. Bernard, Cord Axel Müller, Christian Miniatura, Robin Kaiser

Published Dec 20, 1999• 268 citations
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Abstract

Light propagating in an optically thick sample experiences multiple scattering. It is now known that interferences alter this propagation, leading to an enhanced backscattering, a manifestation of weak localization of light in such diffuse samples. This phenomenon has been extensively studied with classical scatterers. In this Letter we report the first experimental evidence for coherent backscattering of light in a laser-cooled gas of rubidium atoms.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.83.5266

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Light propagating in an optically thick sample experiences multiple scattering. It is now known that interferences alter this propagation, leading to an enhanced backscattering, a manifestation of weak localization of light in such diffuse samples. This phenomenon has been extensively studied with classical scatterers. In this Letter we report the first experimental evidence for coherent backscattering of light in a laser-cooled gas of rubidium atoms.
When a quasiresonant laser beam illuminates an optically thick cloud of laser-cooled rubidium atoms, the average diffuse intensity reflected off the sample is enhanced in a narrow angular range around the direction of exact backscattering. This phenomenon is known as coherent backscattering (CBS). By detuning the laser from resonance, we are able to modify the light scattering mean-free path inside the sample and we record accordingly the variations of the CBS cone shape. We then compare the experimental data with theoretical calculations and Monte Carlo simulations including the effect of the light polarization and of the internal structure of the atoms. We confirm that the internal structure strongly affects the enhancement factor of the cone and we show that the unusual shape of the atomic medium---approximately a spherically-symmetric, Gaussian density profile---strongly affects the width and shape of the cone.
Summary form only given. A wave propagating in a strongly scattering medium experiences many scattering events which rapidly erase the memory of its initial direction on a typical scale length known as the transport mean free path. It is now known that interference can profoundly alter the wave transport, a spectacular manifestation being weak and strong localisation of waves. We shall briefly review the basics of coherent backscattering (CBS) and the results obtained with classical scatterers. We shall then describe our experiment using cold atoms and discuss the experimental data. The non trivial role of the atomic quantum internal structure in the enhancement reduction will be singled out in a simple situation and results of analytical calculations will be presented.
Coherent backscattering is a multiple scattering interference effect which enhances the diffuse reflection off a disordered sample in the backward direction. Classically, the enhanced intensity is twice the average background under well chosen experimental conditions. We show how the quantum internal structure of atomic scatterers leads to a significantly smaller enhancement. Theoretical results for double scattering in the weak localization regime are presented which confirm recent experimental observations.
Propagation in a random medium is often described by a random walk and a diffusion coefficient. However in the mesoscopic regime, where wave properties cannot be neglected, interferences alter the diffusion process leading in extreme situations to strong (Anderson) localisation. The recent observation of coherent backscattering of light by laser cooled atoms has opened the way to new studies in previously not accessible regimes. Here we present some of the questions addressed by these experiments, allowing for a more complete understanding of the physical processes involved in this quantum mesoscopic regime