Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

M. D. Havey

Publications and source records attributed to M. D. Havey.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2018

Optical-depth scaling of light scattering from a dense and cold atomic $^{87}$Rb gas

We report investigation of near-resonance light scattering from a cold and dense atomic gas of $^{87}$Rb atoms. Measurements are made for probe frequencies tuned near the $F=2\to F'=3$ nearly closed hyperfine transition, with particular attention paid to the dependence of the scattered light intensity on detuning from resonance, the number of atoms in the sample, and atomic sample size. We find that, over a wide range of experimental variables, the optical depth of the atomic sample serves as an effective single scaling parameter which describes well all the experimental data.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2018

An experiment on multiple pathway quantum interference for the advanced undergraduate physics laboratory

We present results on a multiple-optical-path quantum interference project suitable for the advanced undergraduate laboratory. The experiments combine a conceptually rich set of atomic physics experiments which may be economically developed at a technical level accessible to undergraduate physics or engineering majors. In the experiments, diode-laser driven two-quantum, two-color excitation of cesium atoms in a vapor cell is investigated and relative strengths of the individual hyperfine components in the $6s^{2}S_{1/2} \rightarrow 7s^{2}S_{1/2}$ transition are determined. Measurement and analysis of the spectral variation of the two quantum excitation rate clearly shows strong variations due to interfering amplitudes in the overall transition amplitude. Projects such as the one reported here allow small teams of undergraduate students with combined interests in experimental and theoretical physics to construct instrumentation, perform sophisticated experiments, and do realistic modelling of the results.

physics.ed-ph↗
arXiv2017

Light scattering from an atomic gas under conditions of quantum degeneracy

We consider a quantum theory of elastic light scattering from a macroscopic atomic sample existing in the Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) phase. The dynamics of the optical excitation induced by an incident photon is influenced by the presence of incoherent scattering channels. For a sample of sufficient length the excitation transports as a polariton wave and the propagation Green's function obeys the scattering equation which we derive. The polariton dynamics could be tracked in the outgoing channel of the scattered photon as we show via numerical solution of the scattering equation for one-dimensional geometry. The results are analyzed and compared with predictions of the conventional macroscopic Maxwell theory for light scattering from a non-degenerate atomic sample of the same density and size.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2017

Angular distribution of single photon superradiance in a dilute and cold atomic ensemble

On the basis of a quantum microscopic approach we study the dynamics of the afterglow of a dilute Gaussian atomic ensemble excited by pulsed radiation. Taking into account the vector nature of the electromagnetic field we analyze in detail the angular and polarization distribution of single-photon superradiance of such an ensemble. The dependence of the angular distribution of superradiance on the length of the pulse and its carrier frequency as well as on the size and the shape of the atomic clouds is studied. We show that there is substantial dependence of the superradiant emission on the polarization and the direction of fluorescence. We observe essential peculiarities of superradiance in the region of the forward diffraction zone and in the area of the coherent backscattering cone. We demonstrate that there are directions for which the rate of fluorescence is several times more than the decay rate of the timed-Dicke state. We show also that single-photon superradiance can be excited by incoherent excitation when atomic polarization in the ensemble is absent. Besides a quantum microscopic approach, we analyze single-photon superradiance on the basis of the theory of incoherent multiple scattering in optically thick media (random walk theory). In the case of very short resonant and long nonresonant pulses we derive simple analytical expressions for the decay rate of single-photon superradiance for incoherent fluorescence in an arbitrary direction.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2017

Coherent backscattering of light from ultracold and optically dense atomic ensembles

We review experimental and theoretical studies of coherent backscattering of near resonant radiation from an ultracold atomic gas in the weak localization regime. Recent accomplishments in high resolution spectroscopy of atomic ensembles based on the coherent backscattering process are discussed. We also propose several new experimental schemes for time-dependent spectroscopy as applied to multiple scattering in the regime of weak localization.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2017

Mesoscopic coherence in light scattering from cold, optically dense and disordered atomic systems

Coherent effects manifested in light scattering from cold, optically dense and disordered atomic systems are reviewed from a primarily theoretical point of view. Development of the basic theoretical tools is then elaborated through several physical atomic physics based processes which have been at least partly explored experimentally. These include illustrations drawn from the coherent backscattering effect, random lasing in atomic gases, quantum memories and light-atoms interface assisted by the light trapping mechanism. Current understanding and challenges associated with the transition to high atomic densities and cooperativity in the scattering process is also discussed in some detail.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2016

Observation of single-photon superradiance and the cooperative Lamb shift in an extended sample of cold atoms

We report direct, time-resolved observations of single-photon superradiance in a highly extended, elliptical sample of cold 87Rb atoms. The observed rapid decay rate is accompanied by its counterpart, the cooperative Lamb shift. The rate of the strongly directional decay, and the associated shift, scale linearly with the number of atoms and show a strong dependence on the sample shape, demonstrating the collective nature of the observed quantities.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2016

Control of light trapping in a large atomic system by a static magnetic field

We propose to control light trapping in a large ensemble of cold atoms by an external, static magnetic field. For an appropriate choice of frequency and polarization of the exciting pulse, the field is expected to speed up the fluorescence of a dilute atomic system. In a dense ensemble, the field does not affect the early-time superradiant signal but amplifies intensity fluctuations at intermediate times and induces a very slow, nonexponential long-time decay. The slowing down of fluorescence is due to the excitation of spatially localized collective atomic states that appear only under a strong magnetic field and have exponentially long lifetimes. Our results therefore pave a way towards experimental observation of the disorder-induced localization of light in cold atomic systems.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2016

One dimensional light localization with classical scatterers; an advanced undergraduate laboratory experiment

The phenomenon of electronic wave localization through disorder was introduced by Anderson in 1958 in the context of electron transport in solids. It remains an important area of fundamental and applied research. Localization of all wave phenomena, including light, is thought to exist in a restricted one dimensional geometry. We present here a series of experiments which illustrate, using a simple experimental arrangement and approach, localization of light in a quasi one dimensional physical system. In the experiments, reflected and transmitted light from a stack of glass slides of varying thickness reveals an Ohm's Law type behavior for small thicknesses, and evolution to exponential decay of the transmitted power for thicker slide stacks. Light absorption is negligible in our realization of the experiment. For larger stacks of slides, weak departure from a one dimensional behavior is also observed. The experiment and analysis of the results, then showing many of the essential features of wave localization, is relatively straightforward, economical, and suitable for laboratory experiments at an undergraduate level.

physics.ed-ph↗
arXiv2015

Random Lasing in an Inhomogeneous and Disordered System of Cold Atoms

We consider light trapping in an amplifying medium consisting of cold alkali-metal atoms; the atomic gas plays a dual role as a scattering and as a gain medium. We perform Monte-Carlo simulations for the combined processes. In some configurations of the inhomogeneous distribution this leads to a point of instability behavior and a signature of random lasing in a cold atomic gas.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2015

Two-photon coherent control of atomic collisions by light with entangled polarization

We describe a new method of coherent optical control of internal dynamics of atomic collisions by means of two correlated light beams having entangled polarizations. We show that if excitation of a colliding pair of atoms is by two photons having entangled polarizations, it is possible to redirect the output fragments of the collision into certain channels with a selected type of internal transition symmetry. The transition symmetry is defined in the body-fixed coordinate frame which has random and originally unknown orientation in space.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2015

Spectral dependence of diffuse light dynamics in ultracold atomic 85Rb

We report a combined experimental and theoretical simulation of multiply scattered light dynamics in an ultracold gas of 85Rb atoms. Measurements of the spectral dependence of the time-decay of the scattered light intensity, following pulsed excitation with near resonance radiation, reveals that the decay for long times is nearly exponential, with a decay constant that is largely independent of detuning from resonance. Monte Carlo simulations of the multiple scattering process show that, for large detunings, near resonance scattering of Fourier components of the excitation pulse plays a significant role in the effect. This interpretation is supported by the observations, and successful modelling, of beating between Rayleigh scattered light at the excitation carrier frequency with the Fourier components of the excitation pulse that overlap significantly with the atomic resonance.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2014

Alignment dynamics of slow light diffusion in ultracold atomic $^{85}$Rb

A combined experimental and theoretical investigation of time- and alignment-dependent propagation of light in an ultracold atomic gas of atomic $^{85}$Rb is reported. Coherences among the scattering amplitudes for light scattering off excited hyperfine levels produce strong variations of the light polarization in the vicinity of atomic resonance. Measurements are in excellent agreement with Monte-Carlo simulations of the multiple scattering process.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2014

Quantum beat spectroscopy: stimulated emission probe of hyperfine quantum beats in the atomic Cs 8p $^{2}P_{3/2}$ level

Measurements of hyperfine polarization quantum beats are used determine the magnetic dipole (A) and electric quadrupole (B) coupling constants in the excited atomic Cs 8p level. The experimental approach is a novel combination of pulsed optical pumping and time-delayed stimulated emission probing of the excited level. From the measured evolution of the atomic linear polarization degree as a function of probe delay time, we determine the hyperfine coupling constants A = 7.42(6) MHz and B = 0.14(29) MHz.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2014

Cooperatively enhanced light transmission in cold atomic matter

We report enhanced transmission in measurements of the spectral dependence of forward light scattering by a high-density and cold ensemble of 87Rb atoms. This phenomenon, which is a result of dipole-dipole interaction induced cooperative light scattering in the atomic sample, implies a significant departure from the traditional density dependence of the transmitted light as embodied in the Beer-Lambert Law. Absolute values of the density-dependent forward light scattering cross-section are extracted from the measurements.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2014

Optical Manipulation of Light Scattering in Cold Atomic Rubidium

A brief perspective on light scattering in dense and cold atomic rubidium is presented. We particularly focus on the influence of auxiliary applied fields on the system response to a weak and nearly resonant probe field. Auxiliary fields can strongly disturb light propagation; in addition to the steady state case, dynamically interesting effects appear clearly in both the time domain, and in the optical polarization dependence of the processes. Following a general introduction, two examples of features found in such studies are presented. These include nonlinear optical effects in (a) comparative studies of forward- and fluorescence-configuration scattering under combined excitation of a control and probe field, and (b) manipulation of the spatial structure of the optical response due to a light shifting strong applied field.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2013

Spatial distribution of optically induced atomic excitation in a dense and cold atomic ensemble

On the basis of our general theoretical results developed previously in JETP 112, 246 (2011), we calculate the spatial distribution of atoms excited in a dense and cold atomic cloud by weak monochromatic light. We also study the atomic distribution over different Zeeman sublevels of the excited state in different parts of the cloud. The dependence of this distribution of atomic excitation on the density of the atomic ensemble and the frequency of external emission is investigated. We show that in the boundary regions of the cloud the orientation and alignment of atomic angular momentum takes place. Analysis of the spatial distribution of atomic excitation shows no noticeable signs of light localization effects even in those parameter regimes where the Ioffe-Regel criterium of strong localization is satisfied. However, comparative calculations performed in the framework of the scalar approximation to the dipole-dipole interaction reveals explicit manifestation of strong localization under some conditions.

physics.atom-ph↗