Abstract

We study the mechanical impact of the emission of a photon on the center-of-mass state of two atoms in a trap. In optical diagnostics of trapped atoms, this problem is of relevance for the understanding of the back-action of photon scattering on the distribution of the atoms over the trap states. For the envisioned laser-like source of atoms (“boser”) based on optical pumping [1], an understanding of the mechanical effects of the emitted photon is crucial as they effect strongly the small signal gain and also the atom number statistics in the “bosing” mode.

© 1996 IEEE