Heidelberg 2015 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 31: Poster: Quantum Optics and Photonics II

Q 31.52: Poster

Tuesday, March 24, 2015, 17:00–19:00, C/Foyer

Quantum Reflection and Interference of Matter Waves from Periodically Doped Surfaces — •Benjamin A. Stickler and Klaus Hornberger — Faculty of Physics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Lotharstrasse 1, Duisburg, Germany

We show that periodically doped but flat surfaces can act as quantum reflection gratings for atomic and molecular matter waves [1]. Quantum reflection, i.e. the occurrence of a finite reflectivity in the absence of a classical turning point [2], is typically observed by scattering polarizable particles off flat surfaces [3]. Diffraction elements for matter waves can be realized by exploiting that quantum reflection is locally supressed by charged dopants. We present a full quantum scattering theory for reflection from attractive periodic surface potentials and investigate the requirements for the observation of multiple diffraction peaks.

[1] B.A. Stickler, U. Even, K. Hornberger: Quantum reflection and interference of matter waves from periodically doped surfaces, arXiv:1410.7243 [quant-ph]. [2] H. Friedrich, J. Trost: Working with WKB waves far from the semi-classical limit, Phys. Rep. 397, 6 (2004). [3] B.S. Zhao et al.: Quantum reflection of Helium atom beams from a micro-structured grating, Phys. Rev. A 78, 010902 (2008).