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A stochastic rainbow caustic observed with cold atoms

B. T. Wolschrijn·D. Voigt·R. Jansen·R. A. Cornelussen·N. Bhattacharya·R. J. C. Spreeuw·H. B. van Linden van den Heuvell
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Abstract

We report the direct observation of a novel type of rainbow caustic. In contrast to known examples, this caustic originates from a dissipative, stochastic process. We have observed this using cold ^{87}Rb atoms bouncing inelastically on an evanescent-wave atom mirror. The caustic appears as a sharp peak at the lower edge of the asymmetric velocity distribution of the bouncing atoms. The stochastic process is a spontaneous Raman transition due to photon scattering during the bounce. The results are in good agreement with a classical calculation.

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B. T. Wolschrijn, D. Voigt, R. Jansen, R. A. Cornelussen, N. Bhattacharya, R. J. C. Spreeuw, H. B. van Linden van den Heuvell. 2001-04-10. A stochastic rainbow caustic observed with cold atoms. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.64.065403

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