Druzhinina V, DeKieviet M. Experimental observation of quantum reflection far from threshold.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2003;
91:193202. [PMID:
14611579 DOI:
10.1103/physrevlett.91.193202]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2002] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We present first experimental evidence for quantum reflection, originating exclusively from an attractive potential between an atom and a solid surface, at energies far from the threshold E(i)-->0. The system of light and stable 3He atoms scattering from an alpha-quartz crystal allows confirmation of recent theory on quantum reflection up to its asymptotic behavior, determined by the nonretarded van der Waals potential -C(3)/r(3). From the data, the gas-solid interaction potential is deduced quantitatively, covering the energy region, in which retardation plays a role.
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