Abstract
We report the first observation of Bragg scattering of sodium atoms from a standing light wave. We also present a theory which quantitatively predicts the amplitude of the various Bragg orders as a function of the light’s detuning and power, and the interaction time. The analog of the Pendello$uml—sung effect, previously observed in Bragg scattering of neutrons from crystals, is predicted and qualitatively observed for first-order Bragg scattering of atoms from a standing light wave.
- Received 3 August 1987
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.60.515
©1988 American Physical Society
