On the scattering of a light pulse on a single atom perturbed by collisions with inert gas atoms

Abstract

Atoms, Molecules ze,,oo r,, and ClustersThis work is an extension of the previously developed description [1, 2] of the pulsed-light near-resonant scattering on an optically active atom --inert gas system for the case of an alkali metal atom. The alkali metal atom is assumed to be three level system, i.e. the ground state Sa/2 and two excited states Pa/2 and P3/2. The results, expressed in terms of the cross-sections and energy spectrum, are partially compared with some experimental results and theoretical calculations for stationary beam scattering.

On the scattering of a light pulse on a single atom perturbed by collisions with inert gas atoms

“…It is ctearly seen that this cross-section stabilizes very quickly. Rabi oscillations are not observed in contrast to the results for rectangular pulse [4]. Also the behavior of the total cross section as a function of the detuning (Fig.…”

“…In particular, the relation (13) which is similar to that obtained by Alford et al [7] holds for every pulse envelope. This example shows the usefulness of relations obtained by integration of the density matrix components and of corresponding equations of motion over entire duration of the pulse [4].…”

“…Thus, for instance, the oscillations tend to be nearly completely absent in the case of the excitation by the double exponential pulse while they are very strong for the exponential and rectangular puIse shapes. In order to study the dependence of the light scattering cross-sections defined in [4] on the pulse shape we have calculated the total cross-section as a function of duration of the pulse and of the detuning for the double-exponential pulse. In Fig.…”

“…For these reasons, in previous work [4] (henceforth to be referred to as I) we have attempted to give a general description of light-pulse-atom interaction. Particular emphasis was given to finding relations which are independent of the shape of pulse envelope.…”

“…Then, in Sect. 4 we give the corresponding description based upon the secular approximation in order to investigate the possible simplification of the theory and clearer physical interpretation. Finally we give some remarks concerning the obtained results.…”