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Coherent Backscattering of Ultracold Atoms

F. Jendrzejewski, K. Müller, J. Richard, A. Date, T. Plisson, P. Bouyer, A. Aspect, and V. Josse
Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 195302 – Published 5 November 2012
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Abstract

We report on the direct observation of coherent backscattering (CBS) of ultracold atoms in a quasi-two-dimensional configuration. Launching atoms with a well-defined momentum in a laser speckle disordered potential, we follow the progressive build up of the momentum scattering pattern, consisting of a ring associated with multiple elastic scattering, and the CBS peak in the backward direction. Monitoring the depletion of the initial momentum component and the formation of the angular ring profile allows us to determine microscopic transport quantities. We also study the time evolution of the CBS peak and find it in fair agreement with predictions, at long times as well as at short times. The observation of CBS can be considered a direct signature of coherence in quantum transport of particles in disordered media. It is responsible for the so called weak localization phenomenon, which is the precursor of Anderson localization.

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  • Received 19 July 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.195302

© 2012 American Physical Society

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Disorder Makes a Robust Matter-Wave Interferometer

Published 5 November 2012

Ultracold atoms can coherently scatter backwards from a disordered potential in a way similar to classical waves.

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Authors & Affiliations

F. Jendrzejewski1, K. Müller1, J. Richard1, A. Date1, T. Plisson1, P. Bouyer2, A. Aspect1, and V. Josse1,*

  • 1Laboratoire Charles Fabry UMR 8501, Institut d’Optique, CNRS, Univ Paris Sud 11, 2 Avenue Augustin Fresnel, 91127 Palaiseau cedex, France
  • 2LP2N UMR 5298, Univ Bordeaux 1, Institut d’Optique and CNRS, 351 cours de la Libération, 33405 Talence, France

  • *vincent.josse@institutoptique.fr

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Issue

Vol. 109, Iss. 19 — 9 November 2012

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