Light scattering from an atomic gas under conditions of quantum degeneracy

• Published in: arXiv.org
• Main Authors: Porozova, V M, Gerasimov, L V, Havey, M D, Kupriyanov, D V
• Format: Paper Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 13.12.2017
• Subjects: Elastic scattering; Excitation; Green's functions; Incoherent scattering; Light scattering; Physics - Atomic Physics; Physics - Optics; Physics - Quantum Gases; Physics - Quantum Physics; Polaritons; Quantum theory; Wave propagation
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.1712.04592

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.