Abstract

We investigate the frequency-comb-induced radiation pressure force acting on a cloud of cold ${^{87}{\rm{Rb}}}$ atoms. Reduction and spectral broadening of the frequency comb force are observed as the cloud’s optical thickness is increased. Since the radiation pressure force is uniquely determined by light scattered by an atomic cloud, we discuss different scattering mechanisms and point to the shadow effect as the dominant mechanism affecting the FC-induced force in resonantly excited dense atomic clouds. Our results improve the understanding of the interaction of frequency comb light with many-atom ensembles, which is essential for novel frequency comb applications in simultaneous multispecies cooling and self-ordering, multimode quantum memories, and quantum computing.

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