Polaritonic modes in a dense cloud of atoms

We analyze resonant light scattering by an atomic cloud in a regime where near-field interactions between scatterers cannot be neglected. We first use a microscopic approach and calculate numerically the eigenmodes of the cloud for many different realizations. It is found that there always exists a small number of polaritonic modes that are spatially coherent and superradiant. We show that scattering is always dominated by these modes. We then use a macroscopic approach by introducing an effective permittivity so that the atomic cloud is equivalent to a dielectric particle. We show that there is a one-to-one correspondence between the microscopic polaritonic modes and the modes of a homogeneous particle with an effective permittivity

Réponse optique de nuage Rb87 dense

This thesis investigates the response of the D2 transition of Rubidium 87 for various densities.To probe this transition we illuminate an ultra cold (100µK) sample of Rubidium 87 with close toresonance of lambda = 780 nm laser light.We observe the transmitted light while scanning the frequency over the atomic resonance. Such a spectrum is taken for peak densities ranging from 10^12 atoms/cm^3 to 10^14 atoms/cm^3. As matter gets denser and denser dipoie-dipole interaction start playing a role due to the close proximity of neighbouring scatteres. These interactions are caused by the probe light induced dipoles and start being important when the density reaches n*(lambda/2Pi)^3 = 1, which for us is the case at the upper end of the explored density range.We start off measuring these transmission data for degenerate 12-level Rubidium 87 and afterwardsfor Rubidium 87, which we first spin polarize and then by lifting the degeneracy generate an artifical2-level system. These results are systematically compared to the two available theories.A microscopic one, which is described by coupled dipoles and a macroscopic one the so calledClausius-Mosotti equation. None of the ab initio theories can explain the results obtained during this thesis.The rigerous comparison of the various acquired datasets shows that the data in itself is consistentand relative changes going from a 12-level system to a 2-level system are understood.Additionally we also investigate the pulse propagation behaviour through such a systemrevealing stunning values for the fractional pulse advancement and the group index.Cette thèse présente les résultats issus de l’investigation de la réponse optique de la transition D2 du Rubidium 87 en fonction de la densité de l’ensemble atomique. Afin de sonder cette transition nous utilisons un faisceau laser proche de la résonance (780nm) sur un échantillon de Rubidium ultra-froid (100µK). Nous observons ainsi la transmission en fonction de la longueur d’onde pour des densités allant de 10^12 atomes/cm^3 à 10^14 atomes/cm^3. Lorsque la densité augmente, on s’attend à ce que les interactions dipôle-dipôle jouent un rôle de plus en plus important du fait de la proximité des éléments diffusants. Quantitativement, les dipôles induits par le faisceau sonde commencent à jouer un rôle important lorsque la densité n atteint n*(lambda/2Pi)^3 = 1, une densité que nous atteignons dans notre système.Deux études systématiques seront présentées. La première montre les résultats obtenus pour un système à 12 niveaux, la deuxième pour un système à 2 niveaux obtenu par polarisation de l’ensemble atomique. Les résultats issus de ces études sont ensuite comparés aux théories existantes. La première approche est microscopique et décrit les interactions des dipôles couplés, la deuxième approche, macroscopique, est donnée par l’équation de Clausius-Mosotti.Les propriétés de propagation d’impulsions à travers ce système sont étudiées et révèlent en particulier un avancement fractionnel de l’impulsion et un indice de groupe inégalés

Optical response of dense Rb87clouds

Cette thèse présente les résultats issus de l’investigation de la réponse optique de la transition D2 du Rubidium 87 en fonction de la densité de l’ensemble atomique. Afin de sonder cette transition nous utilisons un faisceau laser proche de la résonance (780nm) sur un échantillon de Rubidium ultra-froid (100µK). Nous observons ainsi la transmission en fonction de la longueur d’onde pour des densités allant de 10^12 atomes/cm^3 à 10^14 atomes/cm^3. Lorsque la densité augmente, on s’attend à ce que les interactions dipôle-dipôle jouent un rôle de plus en plus important du fait de la proximité des éléments diffusants. Quantitativement, les dipôles induits par le faisceau sonde commencent à jouer un rôle important lorsque la densité n atteint n*(lambda/2Pi)^3 = 1, une densité que nous atteignons dans notre système.Deux études systématiques seront présentées. La première montre les résultats obtenus pour un système à 12 niveaux, la deuxième pour un système à 2 niveaux obtenu par polarisation de l’ensemble atomique. Les résultats issus de ces études sont ensuite comparés aux théories existantes. La première approche est microscopique et décrit les interactions des dipôles couplés, la deuxième approche, macroscopique, est donnée par l’équation de Clausius-Mosotti.Les propriétés de propagation d’impulsions à travers ce système sont étudiées et révèlent en particulier un avancement fractionnel de l’impulsion et un indice de groupe inégalés.This thesis investigates the response of the D2 transition of Rubidium 87 for various densities.To probe this transition we illuminate an ultra cold (100µK) sample of Rubidium 87 with close toresonance of lambda = 780 nm laser light.We observe the transmitted light while scanning the frequency over the atomic resonance. Such a spectrum is taken for peak densities ranging from 10^12 atoms/cm^3 to 10^14 atoms/cm^3. As matter gets denser and denser dipoie-dipole interaction start playing a role due to the close proximity of neighbouring scatteres. These interactions are caused by the probe light induced dipoles and start being important when the density reaches n*(lambda/2Pi)^3 = 1, which for us is the case at the upper end of the explored density range.We start off measuring these transmission data for degenerate 12-level Rubidium 87 and afterwardsfor Rubidium 87, which we first spin polarize and then by lifting the degeneracy generate an artifical2-level system. These results are systematically compared to the two available theories.A microscopic one, which is described by coupled dipoles and a macroscopic one the so calledClausius-Mosotti equation. None of the ab initio theories can explain the results obtained during this thesis.The rigerous comparison of the various acquired datasets shows that the data in itself is consistentand relative changes going from a 12-level system to a 2-level system are understood.Additionally we also investigate the pulse propagation behaviour through such a systemrevealing stunning values for the fractional pulse advancement and the group index

Near-resonant light scattering by small clouds containing a few cold atoms (Orale)

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Near-resonance light scattering by an ensemble of interacting atoms (Orale)

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Direct measurement of the Wigner time delay for the scattering of light by a single atom

International audienceWe have implemented the Gedanken experiment of an individual atom scattering a wave packet of near-resonant light, and measured the associated Wigner time delay as a function of the frequency of the light. In our apparatus, the atom behaves as a two-level system and we have found delays as large as 42 ns at resonance, limited by the lifetime of the excited state. This delay is an important parameter in the problem of collective near-resonant scattering by an ensemble of interacting particles, which is encountered in many areas of physics

Recent Status of the MAMI C Accelerator and First Experiences with the Energy Upgrade towards 1.6 GEV

The University of Mainz institute for nuclear physics is operating the microtron cascade MAMI Mainzer Mikrotron since the late 1970ies. The microtron delivers a cw electron beam to users of the hadron physics community. The recent, fourth stage MAMI C having a design energy of 1.5 GeV is operated since 2006 [1]. This article deals with the recent developments and operational experiences of MAMI C, as well as with the energy upgrades to 1.56 GeV [2] and as final step towards 1.6 GeV. The final increase of beam energy was due to user demands, since it is expected to raise the event rate of the amp; 951; production by an order of magnitud

Coherent Scattering of Near-Resonant Light by a Dense, Microscopic Cloud of Cold Two-Level Atoms: Experiment versus Theory

International audienceWe measure the coherent scattering of low-intensity, near-resonant light by a cloud of laser-cooled two-level rubidium atoms with a size comparable to the wavelength of light. We isolate a two-level atomic structure by applying a 300 G magnetic field. We measure both the temporal and the steady-state coherent optical response of the cloud for various detunings of the laser and for atom numbers ranging from 5 to 100. We compare our results to a microscopic coupled-dipole model and to a multi-mode, paraxial Maxwell-Bloch model. In the low-intensity regime, both models are in excellent agreement, thus validating the Maxwell-Bloch model. Comparing to the data, the models are found in very good agreement for relatively low densities (n/k 3 0.1), while significant deviations start to occur at higher density. This disagreement indicates that light scattering in dense, cold atomic ensembles is still not quantitatively understood, even in pristine experimental conditions

Experimental investigation of long range dipole-dipole interaction between cold atoms (Orale)

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