Focus: Reflections of an Atom

We demonstrate one-dimensional (1D) focusing of a thermal helium atom beam by quantum reflection from a cylindrical concave quartz mirror at near-grazing incidence. The smallest width of the focus achieved is 1.8 μm, essentially limited by spherical aberration. The various effects that contribute to the finite focal width have been investigated. We propose to apply near-grazing reflection from two concave elliptical mirrors in a Kirkpatrick–Baez arrangement for two-dimensional (2D) focusing of a helium atom beam, paving the way for a helium atom microprobe.We demonstrate one-dimensional (1D) focusing of a thermal helium atom beam by quantum reflection from a cylindrical concave quartz mirror at near-grazing incidence. The smallest width of the focus achieved is 1.8 μm, essentially limited by spherical aberration. The various effects that contribute to the finite focal width have been investigated. We propose to apply near-grazing reflection from two concave elliptical mirrors in a Kirkpatrick–Baez arrangement for two-dimensional (2D) focusing of a helium atom beam, paving the way for a helium atom microprobe.

New Journal of PhysicsNov 17, 200916 citations

Reflections of an Atom

Corinna Wu

FocusAug 1, 20060 citations

Quantum reflection: Focusing of hydrogen atoms with a concave mirror

J. J. Berkhout, O.J. Luiten, Irwan D. Setija +3 more

We use a concave spherical mirror to focus at 18-mm-diam beam of H atoms down to 0.5 mm. The mirror consists of a fused-quartz substrate polished to optical precision and coated with a liquid${\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}^{4}$He film to obtain high reflectivity. The temperature dependence of the focused beam intensity enables us to study the influence of the dynamic surface roughness on the reflection of the H atoms. Both zero-point fluctuations and thermal excitations turn out to be of importance. A monolayer of $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ does not significantly affect the results.We use a concave spherical mirror to focus at 18-mm-diam beam of H atoms down to 0.5 mm. The mirror consists of a fused-quartz substrate polished to optical precision and coated with a liquid${\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}^{4}$He film to obtain high reflectivity. The temperature dependence of the focused beam intensity enables us to study the influence of the dynamic surface roughness on the reflection of the H atoms. Both zero-point fluctuations and thermal excitations turn out to be of importance. A monolayer of $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ does not significantly affect the results.

Physical Review LettersOct 16, 1989141 citations

An atom-focusing mirror

Bodil Holst, William Allison

NatureNov 20, 199798 citations

Quantum reflection: focusing of hyrodgen atoms with a hemispheric mirror

Jook T. M. Walraven

We studied the low-energy limit of atomsurface scattering and the phenomenon of quantum reflection by using hydrogen atoms and the surface of liquid helium. Measuring the specular reflectivity of a liquid-helium-covered hemispheric mirror for a beam of hydrogen atoms we obtained information on elastic and inelastic scattering phenomena. At 100 mK, reflectivities larger than 90% were achieved; this can be used to demonstrate atomic beam focusing. Approximately three-fourths of the atoms escaping from a small orifice in a cell were reflected back into the cell. The dominant inelastic processes at work here are surface absorption and direct inelastic scattering over small angles under excitation of surface ripplons (quantized capillary waves). Helium-covered surfaces maybe useful for atomic-beam manipulation of atomic hydrogen.We studied the low-energy limit of atomsurface scattering and the phenomenon of quantum reflection by using hydrogen atoms and the surface of liquid helium. Measuring the specular reflectivity of a liquid-helium-covered hemispheric mirror for a beam of hydrogen atoms we obtained information on elastic and inelastic scattering phenomena. At 100 mK, reflectivities larger than 90% were achieved; this can be used to demonstrate atomic beam focusing. Approximately three-fourths of the atoms escaping from a small orifice in a cell were reflected back into the cell. The dominant inelastic processes at work here are surface absorption and direct inelastic scattering over small angles under excitation of surface ripplons (quantized capillary waves). Helium-covered surfaces maybe useful for atomic-beam manipulation of atomic hydrogen.

Annual Meeting Optical Society of AmericaJan 1, 19900 citations

Atoms brought to a new focus

Christopher J. Foot

NatureJan 1, 19923 citations

^{3}\mathrm{He}

does not significantly affect the results.