Quantum Reflection Effects in the Diffraction of Matter Waves

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Fiedler, Johannes, Osestad, Eivind K., Spallek, Fabian, Vega, Andreu, Bouton, Quentin, Dutier, Gabriel
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Fiedler, Johannes
Osestad, Eivind K.
Spallek, Fabian
Vega, Andreu
Bouton, Quentin
Dutier, Gabriel
author_facet Fiedler, Johannes
Osestad, Eivind K.
Spallek, Fabian
Vega, Andreu
Bouton, Quentin
Dutier, Gabriel
contents Among the fundamental quantum effects, quantum reflection (QR) is one of the most notable phenomena. Approximating arbitrary potentials in the Schrödinger equation as multistep potentials allows us to determine the reflection coefficient by means of a Riccati equation. We introduce a measure for the wavefunction's characteristic reflection distance and derive an analytical expression for this reflection point in an arbitrary power-law potential. We study the associated QR rate in the context of Casimir--Polder atom surface interactions, revealing its strong dependence on critical parameters such as velocity and interaction duration. As an application, we demonstrate how the matter-wave diffraction of a low-velocity metastable Argon beam impinging on a rotated grating facilitates high-precision potential analysis.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2507_03055
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Quantum Reflection Effects in the Diffraction of Matter Waves
Fiedler, Johannes
Osestad, Eivind K.
Spallek, Fabian
Vega, Andreu
Bouton, Quentin
Dutier, Gabriel
Quantum Physics
Among the fundamental quantum effects, quantum reflection (QR) is one of the most notable phenomena. Approximating arbitrary potentials in the Schrödinger equation as multistep potentials allows us to determine the reflection coefficient by means of a Riccati equation. We introduce a measure for the wavefunction's characteristic reflection distance and derive an analytical expression for this reflection point in an arbitrary power-law potential. We study the associated QR rate in the context of Casimir--Polder atom surface interactions, revealing its strong dependence on critical parameters such as velocity and interaction duration. As an application, we demonstrate how the matter-wave diffraction of a low-velocity metastable Argon beam impinging on a rotated grating facilitates high-precision potential analysis.
title Quantum Reflection Effects in the Diffraction of Matter Waves
topic Quantum Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.03055