Spectrum of light scattering from an extended atomic wave packet

Abstract

The spectrum of the light scattered from an extended atomic wave packet is calculated. For a wave packet consisting of two spatially separated peaks moving on parallel trajectories, the spectrum contains Ramsey-like fringes that are sensitive to the phase difference between the two components of the wave packet. Using this technique, one can establish the mutual coherence of the two components of the wave packet without recombining them.

4 pages