arXiv · 1312.5754
Quantum Sticking of Atoms on Membranes
Abstract
A continuum model for low-energy physisorption on a membrane under tension is proposed and studied with variational mean-field theory. A discontinuous change in the energy-dependent sticking coefficient is predicted under certain conditions. This singularity is a result of the bosonic orthogonality catastrophe of the vibrational states of the membrane. The energy-dependent sticking coefficient is predicted to have exponential scaling in 1/E above the singularity. The application of this model to the quantum sticking of cold hydrogen to suspended graphene is discussed. The model predicts that a beam of atomic hydrogen can be completely reflected by suspended graphene at ultralow energies.
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Dennis P. Clougherty. 2013-12-19. Quantum Sticking of Atoms on Membranes. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.90.245412
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