title: Coherent rayleigh scattering
abstract: The spectrum of coherent scattering induced by electrostriction in gases has been analyzed in the previously unexplored, free-molecule limit by solving Boltzmann's equation with a periodic force due to the optical fields. Calculated and measured spectra of several gases at rarefied conditions are nearly Gaussian with widths approximately 10% wider than the spontaneous Rayleigh widths. Our results are the first spectrally resolved measurements of coherent Rayleigh scattering in the free-molecule limit, where the hydrodynamic analysis of stimulated Rayleigh-Brillouin scattering does not apply.
authors.affiliation: Optical Technology Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA.
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Grinstead
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Barker