SPEED SELECTION OF ATOMS DURING THE COHERENT SCATTERING ON RUNNING ELECTROMAGNETIC-WAVES

The theoretical analysis is given for the speed selection of multi-level atoms during the coherent scattering on running light waves. The selection of two-, three- and four-level atoms is studied in detail. It is shown that the formation of narrow speed structures of atomic densities (atomic jets) is possible in a definite quantum state of atom and the conditions for their appearance are found. The evaluations for the widths of such atomic jets are given. It is shown that the given widths can be significantly smaller than the atom recoil velocity.