title: Photonic band gaps in one-dimensionally ordered cold atomic vapors.
abstract: We experimentally investigate the Bragg reflection of light at one-dimensionally ordered atomic structures by using cold atoms trapped in a laser standing wave. By a fine-tuning of the periodicity, we reach the regime of multiple reflection due to the refractive index contrast between layers, yielding an unprecedented high reflectance efficiency of 80%. This result is explained by the occurrence of a photonic band gap in such systems, in accordance with previous predictions.
authors.affiliation: Physikalisches Institut, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schilke
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.forename: Philippe W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Courteille
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Guerin