Atom Optics with Giant Quantum Reflection From a Solid Surface

Quantum reflection of an atomic wave from a solid surface is caused by the attractive van der Waals force acting on the atom near the surface. The researchers had previously verified the quantum reflection of a cold neon atomic beam from a silicon surface. In this research they demonstrate the first known reflective atom-optical elements that use natural interaction of a solid surface, or attractive van der Waals potential. Reflectivity from the surface was shown to increase drastically by modification of the surface to reduce effective density. A flat silicon surface was etched to form the grating structure that consisted of an array of narrow ridges with a periodicity of 10 μm. Using a metastable neon atomic beam, 10% reflectivity was obtained at the normal incident velocity of 20 mm/sec. The researchers said they have also made a reflective beam splitter and reflective amplitude holograms for atoms using this structure as a reflective surface for atoms.