Drift of gases induced by nonmonochromatic light

Abstract

The phenomenon of light-induced drift of gases influenced by a nonmonochromatic light with different spectral properties is under consideration. The dependence of the drift velocity on the spectrum shape, bandwidth, detunings and light intensity is studied. The largest drift velocity is found to be obtained at the bandwidth of the spectrum being of the order of the Doppler atomic transition width, and when the wings of the spectrum drop rapidly. It is shown that nonmonochromatic light of the same intensity as a monochromatic one allows to reach a much larger drift velocity. Principal possibilities to obtain supersonic light-induced drift velocities are shown.