Light scattering on theF= 1 →F′ = 0 transition in a cold and high density87Rb vapor

We report an experimental study of near resonance light scattering on the component of the line in atomic . Experiments are performed on spatially bi-Gaussian ultracold gas samples having peak densities ranging from about – atoms/cm and for a range of resonance saturation parameters and detunings from atomic resonance. Time resolution of the scattered light intensity reveals the dynamics of light scattering, optical pumping, and saturation effects. The experimental line shape for optical excitation in steady state is found to be significantly narrower than that for the transition studied previously under similar conditions. This difference is qualitatively reproduced by a theoretical model of the two transitions at similar density.