Deflection of a Na Beam by Resonant Standing-Wave Radiation

Abstract

A symmetric deflection of a Na beam by resonant standing-wave radiation has been observed. The combination of absorption and stimulated emission of the two oppositely traveling waves ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{+}$ and ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\ensuremath{-}}$ results in a net deflection of the beam. The observed magnitude of the beam deflection and its dependence on the radiation power agree with a calculation based on the random-walk picture that the two traveling waves ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{+}$ and ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\ensuremath{-}}$ are utilized randomly in the stimulated-emission and absorption processes.