title: Coherent light transport in a cold strontium cloud.
abstract: We study light coherent transport in the weak localization regime using magneto-optically cooled strontium atoms. The coherent backscattering cone is measured in the four polarization channels using light resonant with a J(g) = 0-->J(e) = 1 transition of the strontium atom. We find an enhancement factor close to 2 in the helicity preserving channel, in agreement with theoretical predictions. This observation confirms the effect of internal structure as the key mechanism for the contrast reduction observed with a rubidium cold cloud [G. Labeyrie et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 5266 (1999)]. Experimental results are in good agreement with Monte Carlo simulations taking into account geometry effects.
authors: Laboratoire Ondes et Désordre, FRE 2302, 1361 route des Lucioles F-06560 Valbonne, France.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Bidel
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Klappauf
authors: J C
authors: JC
authors: Bernard
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Delande
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Labeyrie
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Miniatura
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Wilkowski
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Kaiser