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

J T Mendonça (1) , H Terças (2)

1 IPFN
2 CFIF

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

Mots clés: Physical Sciences

J T Mendonça, H Terças. Laser scattering by density fluctuations of ultra-cold atoms in a magneto-optical trap. Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, 2011, 44 (9), pp.95301. ⟨10.1088/0953-4075/44/9/095301⟩. ⟨hal-00614645⟩