Year: 2004
Type: article
Abstract: An atom-surface interaction was detected by studying atom diffraction from a rotated material grating. A phasor diagram similar to the Cornu spiral was developed to explain why there are no missing orders in atom diffraction from material gratings. We also show that atom-surface interactions combined with rotated grating structures can produce asymmetric, i.e., blazed, diffraction patterns. Our conceptual discussion is supported by experimental observations with a sodium atom beam and silicon nitride gratings. The data are consistent with the nonretarded van der Waals interaction.
Source: Physical Review A
Authors: Alexander D. Cronin, John D. Perreault
Institution: University of Arizona
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2019961889