Stuttgart 2012 – scientific programme
Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Updates | Downloads | Help
Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik
Q 51: Ultra-cold atoms, ions and BEC III
Q 51.7: Talk
Thursday, March 15, 2012, 15:30–15:45, V47.02
Scattering of ultracold atoms by a single nanowire — •Martin Fink1, Johannes Eiglsperger2, Javier Madroñero1, and Harald Friedrich1 — 1Technische Universität München — 2Universität Regensburg
In view of the intense attention currently given to hybrid quantum systems containing atoms at low temperatures and nanostructures, we study the dynamics of a fundamental quasi two-dimensional system consisting of an ultracold atom and a conducting nanowire of infinite length. A thorough understanding of this system is a first step towards the understanding of more complex setups involving, e.g., nanogratings that are used in diffraction experiments with atoms or large molecules.
The seemingly simple atom-wire system is highly nontrivial as the interaction potential does not have a simple analytical structure, and scattering theory in two dimensions differs significantly from the well-studied three-dimensional case. Based on the full Casimir-Polder potential, we formulate an approximation that enables the numerical determination of this potential to any desired accuracy. Various scattering properties, e.g. scattering length, elastic and absorption cross section, are calculated and their characteristic behavior is discussed. We draw our attention to possible experimental realizations.