Forward scattering of a strong non-monochromatic laser light

Abstract

The forward scattering of a resonant intense and broad-band (of the order of 1 GHz) laser light on sodium atoms is described. The experimental results for the D₁ and D₂ sodium lines (the 3²S_1/2-3²P_1/2 and 3²S_1/2-3²P_3/2 transitions) are compared with those of the scattering of the light from a conventional spectral lamp and from a monochromatic laser. The observed differences are explained by taking into account the Zeeman coherences created in the irradiated atoms and the concept of the 'hyperfine uncoupling' is proposed for describing the interaction of atoms with the broad-band laser light.