Alignment dynamics of slow light diffusion in ultracold atomic $^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$

Rapid Communication

Alignment dynamics of slow light diffusion in ultracold atomic ${}^{85}{Rb}$

S. Balik, R. G. Olave, C. I. Sukenik, M. D. Havey, V. M. Datsyuk, I. M. Sokolov, and D. V. Kupriyanov

Phys. Rev. A 72, 051402(R) – Published 3 November 2005

Abstract

A combined experimental and theoretical investigation of time- and alignment-dependent propagation of light in an ultracold atomic gas of atomic ${}^{85}{Rb}$ is reported. Coherences among the scattering amplitudes for light scattering off excited hyperfine levels produce strong variations of the light polarization in the vicinity of atomic resonance. Measurements are in excellent agreement with Monte Carlo simulations of the multiple scattering process.