Laser scattering by density fluctuations of ultra-cold atoms in a magneto-optical trap

摘要

We study the spectrum of density fluctuations in the ultra-cold gas ofneutral atoms, confined in a magneto-optical trap. We determine thecorresponding amplitude and spectra of laser light scattered by this medium. Wederive an expression for the dynamical structure function, by using a testparticle method. We propose to use the collective laser scattering as adiagnostic method for the microscopic properties of the ultra-cold matter. Thiswill also allow us to check on the atomic correlations which are mediated bythe collective mean field inside the gas.