arXiv subjects

M. DeKieviet

Publications and source records attributed to M. DeKieviet.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2018

Two-dimensional simulation of quantum reflection

A propagation method for the scattering of a quantum wave packet from a potential surface is presented. It is used to model the quantum reflection of single atoms from a corrugated (metallic) surface. Our numerical procedure works well in two spatial dimensions requiring only reasonable amounts of memory and computing time. The effects of the surface corrugation on the reflectivity are investigated via simulations with a paradigm potential. These indicate that our approach should allow for future tests of realistic, effective potentials obtained from theory in a quantitative comparison to experimental data.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Theory of noncontact friction for atom-surface interactions

The noncontact (van der Waals) friction is an interesting physical effect which has been the subject of controversial scientific discussion. The "direct" friction term due to the thermal fluctuations of the electromagnetic field leads to a friction force proportional to 1/Z^5 where Z is the atom-wall distance). The "backaction" friction term takes into account the feedback of thermal fluctuations of the atomic dipole moment onto the motion of the atom and scales as 1/Z^8. We investigate noncontact friction effects for the interactions of hydrogen, ground-state helium and metastable helium atoms with alpha-quartz (SiO_2), gold (Au) and calcium difluorite (CaF_2). We find that the backaction term dominates over the direct term induced by the thermal electromagnetic fluctuations inside the material, over wide distance ranges. The friction coefficients obtained for gold are smaller than those for SiO_2 and CaF_2 by several orders of magnitude.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2012

Enhancement of Blackbody Friction due to the Finite Lifetime of Atomic Levels

The thermal friction force acting on an atom moving relative to a thermal photon bath is known to be proportional to an integral over the imaginary part of the frequency-dependent atomic (dipole) polarizability. Using a numerical approach, we find that blackbody friction on atoms either in dilute environments or in hot ovens is larger than previously thought by orders of magnitude. This enhancement is due to far off-resonant driving of transitions by low-frequency thermal radiation. At typical temperatures, the blackbody radiation maximum lies far below the atomic transition wavelengths. Surprisingly, due to the finite lifetime of atomic levels, which gives rise to Lorentzian line profiles, far off-resonant excitation leads to the dominant contribution to the blackbody friction.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2011

Einstein-Hopf drag, Doppler shift of thermal radiation and blackbody friction: A unifying perspective on an intriguing physical effect

The thermal friction force acting on an atom moving relative to a thermal photon bath has recently been calculated on the basis of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. The thermal fluctuations of the electromagnetic field give rise to a drag force on an atom provided one allows for dissipation of the field energy via spontaneous emission. The drag force exists if the atomic polarizability has a nonvanishing imaginary part. Here, we explore alternative derivations. The damping of the motion of a simple harmonic oscillator is described by radiative reaction theory (result of Einstein and Hopf), taking into account the known stochastic fluctuations of the electromagnetic field. Describing the excitations of the atom as an ensemble of damped harmonic oscillators, we identify the previously found expressions as generalizations of the Einstein-Hopf result. In addition, we present a simple explanation for blackbody friction in terms of a Doppler shift of the thermal radiation in the inertial frame of the moving atom: The atom absorbs blue-shifted photons from the front and radiates off energy in all directions, thereby losing energy. The original plus the two alternative derivations provide for additional confirmation of an intriguing physical effect, and leave no doubt regarding its existence.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2010

Longitudinal Atomic Beam Spin Echo Experiments: A possible way to study Parity Violation in Hydrogen

We discuss the propagation of hydrogen atoms in static electric and magnetic fields in a longitudinal atomic beam spin echo (lABSE) apparatus. Depending on the choice of the external fields the atoms may acquire both dynamical and geometrical quantum mechanical phases. As an example of the former, we show first in-beam spin rotation measurements on atomic hydrogen, which are in excellent agreement with theory. Additional calculations of the behaviour of the metastable 2S states of hydrogen reveal that the geometrical phases may exhibit the signature of parity-(P-)violation. This invites for possible future lABSE experiments, focusing on P-violating geometrical phases in the lightest of all atoms.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2008

Parity Violation in Hydrogen and Longitudinal Atomic Beam Spin Echo I

We discuss the propagation of hydrogen atoms in static electric and magnetic fields in a longitudinal atomic beam spin echo (lABSE) apparatus. There the atoms acquire geometric (Berry) phases that exhibit a new manifestation of parity-(P-)violation in atomic physics. We provide analytical as well as numerical calculations of the behaviour of the metastable 2S states of hydrogen. The conditions for electromagnetic field configurations that allow for adiabatic evolution of the relevant atomic states are investigated. Our results provide the theoretical basis for the discussion of possible measurements of P-violating geometric phases in lABSE experiments.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2002

Experimental Observation of Quantum Reflection in the High Energy Limit

We present first experimental data on the high energy behavior of helium atoms quantum reflecting from the nanoscopically disordered surface of a quartz crystal. The use of the light, stable and inert He atom not only opens the unique possibility of measuring quantum reflectivity in the thusfar inaccessible limit of high energies, but also allows the determination of the gas-solid interaction potential. The specularly reflected intensity from the rough surface shows a change of 5 orders of magnitude within an incident angular range of less than 6 degrees. By separating out the influence of surface disorder the quantum reflection coefficient for the smooth surface is deduced. Firstly, the data confirm the high energy asymptotic behavior of the reflection, defined by the non-retarded attractive van der Waals potential. The experiment shows very good agreement with our calculations covering the entire energy region, in which also Casimir forces play a role. Parameters for the gas-solid interaction perfectly match those reported in literature in the vicinity of the potential minimum.

quant-ph↗