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Coherent Backscattering of Light Off One-Dimensional Atomic Strings
Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 133604 – Published 23 September, 2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.117.133604
Abstract
We present the first experimental realization of coherent Bragg scattering off a one-dimensional system—two strings of atoms strongly coupled to a single photonic mode—realized by trapping atoms in the evanescent field of a tapered optical fiber, which also guides the probe light. We report nearly 12% power reflection from strings containing only about 1000 cesium atoms, an enhancement of 2 orders of magnitude compared to reflection from randomly positioned atoms. This result paves the road towards collective strong coupling in 1D atom-photon systems. Our approach also allows for a straightforward fiber connection between several distant 1D atomic crystals.
Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)
Focus
Strong Light Reflection from Few Atoms
Up to 75% of light reflects from just 2000 atoms aligned along an optical fiber, an arrangement that could be useful in photonic circuits.
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