Saturation-induced coherence loss in coherent backscattering of light

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 2004 · Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.70.036602· OSTI ID:20636608

Chaneliere, T; Wilkowski, D; Kaiser, R; Miniatura, C ^[1]; Bidel, Y ^[2]

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1. Laboratoire Ondes et Desordre, FRE 2302, 1361 Route des Lucioles, F-06560 Valbonne (France)
2. Stanford University, 382 Via Pueblo Mall, Stanford, California 94305-4060 (United States)

We use coherent backscattering of light by cold strontium atoms to study phase-breaking mechanisms in the multiple-scattering regime. As the probe light intensity is increased, the atomic optical transition starts to be saturated. Nonlinearities and inelastic scattering then occur. The latter induces a characteristic phase-breaking time that reduces the wave coherence. In our experiment, this leads to a strong reduction of the enhancement factor of the coherent backscattering cone. The results at different probe detuning are also presented.

• OSTI ID: 20636608
• Journal Information: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics, Journal Name: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 70; ISSN PLEEE8; ISSN 1063-651X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BACKSCATTERING
INELASTIC SCATTERING
LIGHT SCATTERING
MULTIPLE SCATTERING
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
STRONTIUM
VISIBLE RADIATION