ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the impact of Pauli blocking on photon scattering within ultracold Fermi gases, with a specific focus on elucidating the role of Fermi statistics in these scattering processes. This research endeavors to provide novel insights into the quantum effects governing the interaction between light and matter, thereby enhancing our understanding of these fundamental phenomena.MethodsIn the experimental, ultracold ⁶Li Fermi gases with a spin mixture of two hyperfine states were prepared. Probe light was applied to the atoms in the horizontal direction. By collecting and detecting photons scattered by the atoms, changes in the scattered light were observed. The temperature of the atomic ensemble was modulated by closing and then reopening the far-detuned optical dipole trap. The imbalance between the two hyperfine states was controlled by adjusting the duration of radio frequency (RF) pulses. The impact of Pauli blocking on photon scattering under various conditions was systematically studied.Results and discussionsThe experimental results demonstrate that at low temperatures, when the atom numbers of the two components are nearly equal, Pauli blocking exerts a significant suppression on photon scattering, resulting in an extremely weak scattered light signal. Conversely, when the atom number ratio of the two components becomes imbalanced, the Pauli blocking effect becomes pronounced, allowing most of the probe light to pass through the Fermi gas without being absorbed or scattered. This observation underscores the pivotal role of Pauli blocking in the interaction between light and atoms.ConclusionsThis paper experimentally confirms the suppression of photon scattering due to the Pauli blocking effect in ultracold Fermi gases, providing new experimental data that enhances our understanding of the interaction between Fermi gases and light. Furthermore, this study lays the groundwork and provides valuable insights for future explorations into the coupling between light and atomic pairing, thereby advancing the field of quantum optics and condensed matter physics.