Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Physica Scripta

Detection of atomic vortex beam using the near-field diffraction method

Pissunee Deechuen, Sorakrai Srisuphaphon, Sitti Buathong, Sarayut Deachapunya

Published Nov 23, 2023• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract We theoretically introduce the method for detecting the atomic vortex (AV) of a helium atomic beam. The AV detection is based on near-field diffraction. The simulations relied on the Feynman path integral. The Gaussian beam and velocity distribution of helium atoms are taken into account. Gravitational field is also included in this study. This research can be useful in the field of matter-wave optics.

DOI
10.1088/1402-4896/ad0f62

Related papers

Single-photon vortex beam detection with near-field diffraction

Sarayut Deachapunya, Sorakrai Srisuphaphon, Sitti Buathong +1 more

A beam of single-photon vortex has been detected with near-field diffraction. Our single-photon beam is generated with a weak coherent pulse method and subsequently imprinted with the orbital angular momentum of the vortex using a zeroth-order vortex half-wave retarder. The detection is employed with a two-grating Talbot near-field effect. Instead of using expensive single-photon image detection, we use a mask grating and an avalanche photodiode for the detection. This technique can identify the order and charge of the vortex from different count rates. Our technique can be utilized in the field of quantum information technology such as quantum cryptography using orthogonal states of an optical vortex beam.

Physical Review A•Sep 6, 2023•8 citations

Matter-wave interferometry from near-field to far-field diffraction

Sorakrai Srisuphaphon, Wipawee Temnuch, Sitti Buathong +1 more

Abstract A simplified explanation of near-field and far-field diffraction with matter-wave is described using the path integral formulation. Our approach is demonstrated with cold Rb atoms in single-, double-, and multiple-slit configurations. With the use of an initial wave for the particle beam that corresponds to the slit opening and the number of slits, the transition from near-field to far-field diffraction can also be explored. Identifying the boundary between near-field and far-field diffraction is the first priority for implementing matter-wave diffraction experiments.

Journal of Physics Conference Series•Nov 1, 2019•2 citations

Laser-near-field-based Atomic Lens: Quantum Wave Optics Consideration

В. В. Климов, Vladilen S Letokhov

This paper examines the focusing of an atomic beam by the near field of laser radiation diffracted by a small aperture. The wave properties of the atom are taken into consideration within the framework of an approximate Schrödinger equation. The possibility is demonstrated of focusing an atomic beam into a spot some 3 nm across, the atomic and laser beam characteristics being quite acceptable. The main contribution to the spot size is shown to be from spherical aberrations and diffraction effects, the chromatic aberrations of the atomic beam with a 5% velocity distribution broadening having a lesser effect.

Journal of Modern Optics•Jul 1, 1995•5 citations

Diffraction of metastable helium atoms by a transmission grating

O. Carnal, A. Faulstich, J. Mlynek

We have measured the diffraction of metastable helium atoms by a transmission grating with a period of 500 nm. The atomic beam is derived from a supersonic nozzle by adiabatic gas expansion with a velocity ratio v/Δv 20; with the nozzle cooled to liquid nitrogen temperature, the corresponding de Broglie wave length of the helium atoms is 1.08 Å. We have observed diffraction peaks up to the third order with a good signal-to-noise ratio. The position and the height of the different orders are in satisfactory agreement with the measured grating shape and the mean velocity in the atomic beam. As was pointed out previously, such transmission gratings offer one way to realize an atom-wave interferometer.1 In this context, our results demonstrate that an efficient diffraction can also be obtained with excited-state atoms: Here the use of metastable rare-gas atoms is of special interest because they are easy to handle and can be detected on almost zero background. As an alternative to the use of transmission gratings in matter-wave interferometry, we also discuss a simple double-slit arrangement that may provide another approach to the study of atomic interference phenomena.

Annual Meeting Optical Society of America•Jan 1, 1990•0 citations

A study of matter-wave diffraction for particle in the near field regime under the influence of a uniform electric field

C Artyotha, Sarayut Deachapunya, Boonlit Krunavakarn +2 more

For various experiments to investigate quantum effects, matter-wave diffraction is an apparent example. Particle diffractions have been measured even at the large molecular level, such as the C 60 molecules. In order to describe the matter-wave diffraction of C 60 beam, we assume the initial wave functions behind a grating in form of the Fourier series with a Gaussian distribution function. By applying the Feynman path integral, the exact wave functions of the molecule diffraction in the near-field regime can be derived analytically. The obtained probability density distributions are corresponding to interference fringes as found in the Fresnel diffraction. The probability of finding C 60 molecules, behind the grating at the Talbot length, consistency with the mentioned experimental data of C 60 diffractions.

Journal of Physics Conference Series•Dec 1, 2018•1 citation

Zero-order filter for diffractive focusing of de Broglie matter waves

Sabrina D. Eder, A. K. Ravn, B. Samelin +6 more

The manipulation of neutral atoms and molecules via their de Broglie wave properties, also referred to as de Broglie matter wave optics, is relevant for several fields ranging from fundamental quantum mechanics tests and quantum metrology to measurements of interaction potentials and new imaging techniques. However, there are several challenges. For example, for diffractive focusing elements, the zero-order beam provides a challenge because it decreases the signal contrast. Here we present the experimental realization of a zero-order filter, also referred to as an order-sorting aperture for de Broglie matter wave diffractive focusing elements. The zero-order filter makes it possible to measure even at low beam intensities. We present measurements of zero-order filtered, focused, neutral helium beams generated at source stagnation pressures between 11 and 81 bars. We show that for certain conditions the atom focusing at lower source stagnation pressures (broader velocity distributions) is better than what has previously been predicted. We present simulations with the software ray-tracing simulation package mcstas using a realistic helium source configuration, which gives very good agreement with our measurements.

Physical Review A•Feb 21, 2017•15 citations
Abstract We theoretically introduce the method for detecting the atomic vortex (AV) of a helium atomic beam. The AV detection is based on near-field diffraction. The simulations relied on the Feynman path integral. The Gaussian beam and velocity distribution of helium atoms are taken into account. Gravitational field is also included in this study. This research can be useful in the field of matter-wave optics.
A beam of single-photon vortex has been detected with near-field diffraction. Our single-photon beam is generated with a weak coherent pulse method and subsequently imprinted with the orbital angular momentum of the vortex using a zeroth-order vortex half-wave retarder. The detection is employed with a two-grating Talbot near-field effect. Instead of using expensive single-photon image detection, we use a mask grating and an avalanche photodiode for the detection. This technique can identify the order and charge of the vortex from different count rates. Our technique can be utilized in the field of quantum information technology such as quantum cryptography using orthogonal states of an optical vortex beam.
Abstract A simplified explanation of near-field and far-field diffraction with matter-wave is described using the path integral formulation. Our approach is demonstrated with cold Rb atoms in single-, double-, and multiple-slit configurations. With the use of an initial wave for the particle beam that corresponds to the slit opening and the number of slits, the transition from near-field to far-field diffraction can also be explored. Identifying the boundary between near-field and far-field diffraction is the first priority for implementing matter-wave diffraction experiments.
This paper examines the focusing of an atomic beam by the near field of laser radiation diffracted by a small aperture. The wave properties of the atom are taken into consideration within the framework of an approximate Schrödinger equation. The possibility is demonstrated of focusing an atomic beam into a spot some 3 nm across, the atomic and laser beam characteristics being quite acceptable. The main contribution to the spot size is shown to be from spherical aberrations and diffraction effects, the chromatic aberrations of the atomic beam with a 5% velocity distribution broadening having a lesser effect.
We have measured the diffraction of metastable helium atoms by a transmission grating with a period of 500 nm. The atomic beam is derived from a supersonic nozzle by adiabatic gas expansion with a velocity ratio v/Δv 20; with the nozzle cooled to liquid nitrogen temperature, the corresponding de Broglie wave length of the helium atoms is 1.08 Å. We have observed diffraction peaks up to the third order with a good signal-to-noise ratio. The position and the height of the different orders are in satisfactory agreement with the measured grating shape and the mean velocity in the atomic beam. As was pointed out previously, such transmission gratings offer one way to realize an atom-wave interferometer.1 In this context, our results demonstrate that an efficient diffraction can also be obtained with excited-state atoms: Here the use of metastable rare-gas atoms is of special interest because they are easy to handle and can be detected on almost zero background. As an alternative to the use of transmission gratings in matter-wave interferometry, we also discuss a simple double-slit arrangement that may provide another approach to the study of atomic interference phenomena.
For various experiments to investigate quantum effects, matter-wave diffraction is an apparent example. Particle diffractions have been measured even at the large molecular level, such as the C 60 molecules. In order to describe the matter-wave diffraction of C 60 beam, we assume the initial wave functions behind a grating in form of the Fourier series with a Gaussian distribution function. By applying the Feynman path integral, the exact wave functions of the molecule diffraction in the near-field regime can be derived analytically. The obtained probability density distributions are corresponding to interference fringes as found in the Fresnel diffraction. The probability of finding C 60 molecules, behind the grating at the Talbot length, consistency with the mentioned experimental data of C 60 diffractions.
The manipulation of neutral atoms and molecules via their de Broglie wave properties, also referred to as de Broglie matter wave optics, is relevant for several fields ranging from fundamental quantum mechanics tests and quantum metrology to measurements of interaction potentials and new imaging techniques. However, there are several challenges. For example, for diffractive focusing elements, the zero-order beam provides a challenge because it decreases the signal contrast. Here we present the experimental realization of a zero-order filter, also referred to as an order-sorting aperture for de Broglie matter wave diffractive focusing elements. The zero-order filter makes it possible to measure even at low beam intensities. We present measurements of zero-order filtered, focused, neutral helium beams generated at source stagnation pressures between 11 and 81 bars. We show that for certain conditions the atom focusing at lower source stagnation pressures (broader velocity distributions) is better than what has previously been predicted. We present simulations with the software ray-tracing simulation package mcstas using a realistic helium source configuration, which gives very good agreement with our measurements.