Localization Transition for Light Scattering by Cold Atoms in an External Magnetic Field

S. E. Skipetrov
Phys. Rev. Lett. 121, 093601 – Published 29 August 2018
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Abstract

We establish a localization phase diagram for light in a random three-dimensional (3D) ensemble of motionless two-level atoms with a threefold degenerate upper level, in a strong static magnetic field. Localized modes appear in a narrow spectral band when the number density of atoms ρ exceeds a critical value ρc0.1k03, where k0 is the wave number of light in the free space. A critical exponent of the localization transition taking place upon varying the frequency of light at a constant ρ>ρc is estimated to be ν=1.57±0.07. This classifies the transition as an Anderson localization transition of 3D orthogonal universality class.

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  • Received 11 May 2018

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.093601

© 2018 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Atomic, Molecular & OpticalCondensed Matter, Materials & Applied PhysicsInterdisciplinary Physics

Authors & Affiliations

S. E. Skipetrov*

  • Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, LPMMC, 38000 Grenoble, France

  • *sergey.skipetrov@lpmmc.cnrs.fr

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Issue

Vol. 121, Iss. 9 — 31 August 2018

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