Published July 2011 | Version v1
Journal article Metadata-only

Coherent flash of light emitted by a cold atomic cloud

Creators

  • 1. Institut Non Lineaire de Nice, Universite de Nice Sophia-Antipolis, CNRS, F-06560 Valbonne (France)
  • 2. Institut Langevin, ESPCI ParisTech, CNRS UMR 7587, 10 rue Vauquelin, F-75005 Paris (France)
  • 3. Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, UPMC-Paris 6, ENS, CNRS, 4 Place Jussieu, F-75005 Paris (France)
  • 4. Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore, 117543 Singapore (Singapore)

Description

When a resonant laser sent on an optically thick cold atomic cloud is abruptly switched off, a coherent flash of light is emitted in the forward direction. This transient phenomenon is observed due to the highly resonant character of the atomic scatterers. We analyze quantitatively its temporal properties and show very good agreement with theoretical predictions. Based on complementary experiments, the phase of the coherent field is reconstructed without interferometric tools.

Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.1103/PhysRevA.84.011401;
arXiv
arXiv:1103.6098v1;

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Physical Review. A
Journal Volume
84
Journal Issue
1
Journal Page Range
p. 011401-011401.4
ISSN
1050-2947
CODEN
PLRAAN

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
43128947
Subject category
S74: ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS;
Descriptors DEI
COHERENT SCATTERING; LASERS; OPTICS; STRONTIUM; TRANSIENTS
Descriptors DEC
ALKALINE EARTH METALS; ELEMENTS; METALS; SCATTERING

Optional Information

Notes
(c) 2011 American Institute of Physics