Observation of coherent backscattering of light by cold atoms

Abstract

Coherent backscattering (CBS) of light waves by a random medium is a signature of interference effects in multiple scattering. This effect has been studied in many systems ranging from white paint to biological tissues. Recently, we have observed CBS from a sample of laser-cooled atoms, a scattering medium with interesting new properties. In this paper we discuss various effects, which have to be taken into account for a quantitative study of coherent backscattering of light by cold atoms.Comment: 25 pages LaTex2e, 17 figures, submitted to J. Opt. B: Quant. Semicl. Op