Resonant Scattering of Picosecond Laser Pulses by Atoms in Alkali Metal Vapors

Resonant scattering of ultrashort laser pulses (ULPs) in the vicinity of spectral doublets in monatomic lithium and sodium vapors is studied theoretically. The scattering probability over the entire time of pulse action is calculated as a function of various parameters of the problem (carrier frequency and ULP duration, as well as vapor pressure and temperature). It is shown that the dependence of the total scattering probability on the pulse duration is generally nonlinear by nature.