Nonlinear forward scattering of resonant laser light from excited neon systems

Abstract

We investigate forward scattering induced by a powerful single mode dye laser interacting with excited neon systems. We present experimental data obtained with the three transitions: 1s ₄(J=1)-2p ₃(J=0), 1s ₂(J=1)-2p ₁(J=0), and 1s ₅(J=2)-2p ₄(J=2). The lineshape dependences on the gas pressure, the laser power and the laser field fluctuations are discussed in the context of published theories. Our data resemble the calculated lineshapes in which fluctuations in the interaction processes between atoms and laser fields are taken into account. In atomic systems having more complex level degeneracies [1s ₅(J=2)-2p ₄(J=2)] signal structures expected from higher order nonlinear coherences can occur. To theoretically reproduce these lineshapes a simple J=1→J=0 model is fully appropriate provided that the level with J=1 has a narrow width.