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arXiv:2311.12416 · Physical Review A

Comprehensive peak-width analysis in matter-wave diffraction under grazing incidence conditions

Lee Yeong Kim, Do Won Kang, Jong Chan Lee, Eunmi Chae, Wieland Schöllkopf, Bum Suk Zhao

Published Jul 12, 2024• 1 citation
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Thermal-energy atom scattering at a surface under grazing incidence conditions is an innovative method for investigating dispersive atom-surface interactions with potential application in quantum sensing interferometry. The complete establishment of this technique requires a detailed peak analysis, which is yet to be achieved. We examine peak-width fluctuations in atomic and molecular beams diffracted by a grating under grazing incidence conditions. Careful measurements and analyses of the diffraction patterns of He atoms and ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$ molecules from three square-wave gratings with different periods and radii of curvature enable the identification of factors influencing the peak-width variations as a function of incidence angle. The effects of macroscopic surface curvature, grating magnification, and beam emergence are substantial under these conditions but negligible for incidence angles close to the normal. Our results shed light on the phenomena occurring in grazing incidence thermal-energy atom scattering.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.110.013313

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We report on emerging beam resonances appearing in diffraction patterns of a helium atom beam reflected at grazing incidence from a grating. The plane ruled grating is mounted in an out-of-plane diffraction configuration. We present the measured angular diffraction patterns as a function of the atom's energy change along the grating normal. This presentation allows us to readily trace back the peak positions and widths to the geometry of the out-of-plane diffraction configuration. In the diffraction patterns, an interference effect due to emerging beam resonances is found to progress side by side with a new emerging diffraction beam.
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