Microscopic theory of photonic band gaps in optical lattices

TL;DR

This paper introduces a microscopic model for light scattering in optical lattices that effectively captures phenomena like Bragg scattering, spontaneous emission, and photonic band gaps, and compares well with transfer matrix methods.

Contribution

The paper presents a new microscopic approach to analyze light scattering in optical lattices, especially useful for finite-size and disordered systems, bridging microscopic and transfer matrix models.

Findings

Microscopic model accurately describes Bragg scattering and photonic band gaps.

Good agreement between microscopic and transfer matrix results in 1D lattices.

Model is suitable for studying finite-size and disorder effects.

Abstract

We propose a microscopic model to describe the scattering of light by atoms in optical lattices. The model is shown to efficiently capture Bragg scattering, spontaneous emission and photonic band gaps. A connection to the transfer matrix formalism is established in the limit of a one-dimensional optical lattice, and we find the two theories to yield results in good agreement. The advantage of the microscopic model is, however, that it suits better for studies of finite-size and disorder effects.