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Quantum reflection from a solid surface at normal incidence

We observed quantum reflection of ultracold atoms from the attractive potential of a solid surface. Extremely dilute Bose-Einstein condensates of 23Na, with peak density 10(11)-10(12) atoms/cm(3), confined in a weak gravitomagnetic trap were normally incident on a silicon surface. Reflection probabi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2004-11, Vol.93 (22), p.223201.1-223201.4, Article 223201
Main Authors: PASQUINI, T. A, SHIN, Y, SANNER, C, SABA, M, SCHIROTZEK, A, PRITCHARD, D. E, KETTERLE, W
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:We observed quantum reflection of ultracold atoms from the attractive potential of a solid surface. Extremely dilute Bose-Einstein condensates of 23Na, with peak density 10(11)-10(12) atoms/cm(3), confined in a weak gravitomagnetic trap were normally incident on a silicon surface. Reflection probabilities of up to 20% were observed for incident velocities of 1-8 mm/s. The velocity dependence agrees qualitatively with the prediction for quantum reflection from the attractive Casimir-Polder potential. Atoms confined in a harmonic trap divided in half by a solid surface exhibited extended lifetime due to quantum reflection from the surface, implying a reflection probability above 50%.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/physrevlett.93.223201