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Title: Thermal disequilibrium effects in quantum reflection

Journal Article · · Physical Review. A
; ;  [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Physikalisches Institut, Albert-Ludwigs Universitaet Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg (Germany)
  2. Physik Department, Technische Universitaet Muenchen, D-85747 Garching (Germany)

We show that the quantum reflection coefficient of ultracold heavy atoms scattering off a dielectric surface can be tuned in a wide range by suitable choice of surface and environment temperatures. This effect results from a temperature-dependent repulsive part of the van der Waals-Casimir-Polder-Lifshitz atom-surface interaction potential.

OSTI ID:
21450566
Journal Information:
Physical Review. A, Vol. 82, Issue 3; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.82.032714; (c) 2010 The American Physical Society; ISSN 1050-2947
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English