Localization transition for light scattering by cold atoms in an external magnetic field


Abstract in English

We establish a localization phase diagram for light in a random three-dimensional (3D) ensemble of motionless two-level atoms with a three-fold degenerate upper level, in a strong static magnetic field. Localized modes appear in a narrow spectral band when the number density of atoms $rho$ exceeds a critical value $rho_c simeq 0.1 k_0^3$, where $k_0$ is the wave number of light in the free space. A critical exponent of the localization transition taking place upon varying the frequency of light at a constant $rho > rho_c$ is estimated to be $ u = 1.57 pm 0.07$. This classifies the transition as an Anderson localization transition of 3D orthogonal universality class.

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