Near-resonance Light Scattering from a High-density, Ultracold Atomic $^{87}$Rb Gas

TL;DR

This study combines experimental and theoretical approaches to analyze near-resonance light scattering in a high-density, ultracold $^{87}$Rb gas, revealing effects of density and optical depth on scattering behavior.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the scattering dynamics of ultracold rubidium gases near resonance, emphasizing the role of high density and optical depth.

Findings

Density and detuning significantly affect scattering signals.

Hyperfine pumping dynamics are characterized.

Temporal evolution of scattering reveals high optical depth effects.

Abstract

We report a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of near resonance light scattering from a high-density and ultracold atomic $^{87}$Rb gas. The atomic sample, having a peak density $\sim 5\cdot10^{13}$ atoms/cm$^{3}$, temperature $\sim$ 65 $\mu$K and initially prepared in the F = 1 lower energy $^{87}$Rb hyperfine component, is optically pumped to the higher energy F = 2 hyperfine level. Measurements are made of the transient hyperfine pumping process and of the time evolution of scattering of near resonance probe radiation on the $F = 2 \rightarrow F' = 3$ transition. Features of the density, detuning, and temporal dependence of the signals are attributed to the high density and consequent large optical depth of the samples.