Using atomic interference to probe atom-surface interactions
Abstract
We show that atomic interference in the reflection from two suitably polarized evanescent waves is sensitive to retardation effects in the atom-surface interaction for specific experimental parameters. We study the limit of short and long atomic de Broglie wavelengths. The former case is analyzed in the semiclassical approximation (Landau-Zener model). The latter represents a quantum regime and is analyzed by solving numerically the associated coupled Schrödinger equations. We consider a specific experimental scheme and show the results for rubidium (short wavelength) and the much lighter metastable helium atom (long wavelength). The merits of each case are then discussed.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review A
- Pub Date:
- May 2000
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevA.61.053402
- arXiv:
- arXiv:physics/0001015
- Bibcode:
- 2000PhRvA..61e3402M
- Keywords:
-
- 42.50.Vk;
- 34.20.-b;
- 32.80.Lg;
- 03.75.-b;
- Mechanical effects of light on atoms molecules electrons and ions;
- Interatomic and intermolecular potentials and forces potential energy surfaces for collisions;
- Mechanical effects of light on atoms molecules and ions;
- Matter waves;
- Physics - Atomic Physics
- E-Print:
- 11 pages, including 6 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. A, RevTeX source