Photonic band gaps in one-dimensionally ordered cold atomic vapors

Phys Rev Lett. 2011 Jun 3;106(22):223903. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.223903. Epub 2011 Jun 3.

Abstract

We experimentally investigate the Bragg reflection of light at one-dimensionally ordered atomic structures by using cold atoms trapped in a laser standing wave. By a fine-tuning of the periodicity, we reach the regime of multiple reflection due to the refractive index contrast between layers, yielding an unprecedented high reflectance efficiency of 80%. This result is explained by the occurrence of a photonic band gap in such systems, in accordance with previous predictions.