Weak localization of light in hot atomic vapors

TL;DR

This paper theoretically investigates the potential to observe weak localization of light in hot atomic vapors, demonstrating conditions under which interference effects can be detected despite thermal motion.

Contribution

It introduces a model accounting for atomic structure and thermal effects, proposing experimental setups to observe weak localization in hot vapors.

Findings

Weak localization can be detected in hot vapors with specific detuning and geometry.

Thermal decoherence can be mitigated by large laser detuning and small, elongated atomic cells.

Theoretical estimates suggest experimental feasibility of observing weak localization in hot atomic vapors.

Abstract

We theoretically explore the possibility to detect weak localization of light in a hot atomic vapor, where one usually expects the fast thermal motion of the atoms to destroy any interference in multiple scattering. To this end, we compute the coherent backscattering peak, assuming high temperature and taking into account the quantum level structure of the atomic scatterers. It is found that the decoherence due to thermal motion can be partially counterbalanced by working at large laser detuning and using small atomic cells with an elongated geometry. Under these conditions, our estimates suggest that weak localization in a hot vapor should be within reach of experimental detection.