Interpretation for Rayleigh self-oscillations in a pure sodium vapor driven by counterpropagating light beams

Abstract

With the intent to explain the onset of a Rayleigh instability in a pure sodium cell driven by counterpropagating light beams, we report a theory that includes pump-depletion effects. A model is developed for fast-moving atoms that predicts the occurrence of a Rayleigh instability for su5ciently large concentration, which may explain the experimental observation.PACS number(s): 42.65.Vh