We propose an alternative formulation for atomic side mode dynamics from superradiant light scattering of trapped atoms. A detailed analysis of the recently observed superradiant light scattering from trapped Bose gases [S. Inouye et al., Science 285, 571 (1999)] is presented. We find that scattered light intensity can exhibit both oscillatory and exponential growth behaviors depending on densities, pump pulse characteristics, temperatures, and geometric shapes of trapped gas samples. The total photon scattering rate as well as the accompanying matter wave amplification depend explicitly on atom number fluctuations in the condensate. Our formulation allows for natural and transparent interpretations of subtle features in the experimental data, and provides numerical simulations in good agreement with most important aspects of the experimental observations.

• Received 25 February 2000

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.62.063615