Near-resonance light scattering from a high-density ultracold atomic 87Rb gas

摘要

We report a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of near-resonance light scattering from a high-density and ultracold atomic 87Rb gas. The atomic sample, having a peak density ～5×1013 atoms/cm3, temperature ～65 μK, and initially prepared in the F=1 lower-energy 87Rb hyperfine component, is optically pumped to the higher-energy F=2 hyperfine level. Measurements are made of the transient hyperfine pumping process and of the time evolution of scattering of near-resonance probe radiation on the F=2→F′=3 transition. Features of the density, detuning, and temporal dependence of the signals are attributed to the high density and consequent large optical depth of the samples.