Phase-sensitive detection of bragg scattering at 1D optical lattices

Phys Rev Lett. 2005 May 20;94(19):193901. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.94.193901. Epub 2005 May 17.

Abstract

We report on the observation of Bragg scattering at 1D atomic lattices. Cold atoms are confined by optical dipole forces at the antinodes of a standing wave generated by the two counterpropagating modes of a laser-driven high-finesse ring cavity. By heterodyning the Bragg-scattered light with a reference beam, we obtain detailed information on phase shifts imparted by the Bragg scattering process. Being deep in the Lamb-Dicke regime, the scattered light is not broadened by the motion of individual atoms.