arXiv subjects

Maxime Debiossac

Publications and source records attributed to Maxime Debiossac.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Atom diffraction in the strong-coupling regime

Analytic methods based on matter-wave diffraction are a cornerstone in condensed-matter research, providing access to static and dynamic materials properties down to the atomic level. In these experiments, the shape of the diffraction pattern is largely determined by the lattice at equilibrium whereas vibrationally-induced distortions are treated perturbatively. Here, we show that the perturbative approach does not hold for helium diffracted at kiloelectronvolt energy through freestanding single-layer graphene. In this case, we enter a new regime of strong coupling where the projectile strongly interacts with the electron density of several lattice atoms simultaneously, leading to phase shifts of several radians. In consequence, lattice distortions introduce a significant phase spread that cannot be described by the typically employed Debye-Waller factor. We show that the weak-coupling regime is retained for atomic hydrogen diffraction. The experimental results are supported by simulations, providing a regime-independent approach to describe the influence of phonons on atom diffraction phenomena.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Diffraction of atomic matter waves through a 2D crystal

Diffraction of atoms from surfaces provides detailed insights into structures, interactions, and dynamical processes. However, currently the method is limited to measurements in reflection - diffraction through materials has only been demonstrated for subatomic particles and is an outstanding challenge for atoms. We diffract helium and hydrogen atoms at kiloelectronvolt energies through single-layer graphene at normal incidence. Despite the atoms' high kinetic energy as well as coupling to the electronic system of graphene, we observe coherent scattering. This preservation of coherence was the result of the limited momentum transfer between the projectile and the lattice, resulting from interaction times on the femtosecond scale.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Elastic and inelastic diffraction of fast neon atoms on a LiF surface

Grazing incidence fast atom diffraction has mainly been investigated with helium atoms, considered as the best possible choice for surface analysis. This article presents experimental diffraction profiles recorded with neon projectile, between 300 eV and 4 keV kinetic energy with incidence angles $θ_i$ between 0.3$^\circ$ and 1.5$^\circ$ along three different directions of a LiF(001) crystal surface. These correspond to perpendicular energy ranging from a few meV up to almost 1 eV. A careful analysis of the scattering profile allows us to extract the diffracted intensities even when inelastic effects become so large that most quantum signatures have disappeared. The relevance of this approach is discussed in terms of surface topology.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2023

Convergence to the asymptotic large deviation limit

Large deviation theory offers a powerful and general statistical framework to study the asymptotic dynamical properties of rare events. The application of the formalism to concrete experimental situations is, however, often restricted by finite statistics. Data might not suffice to reach the asymptotic regime or judge whether large deviation estimators converge at all. We here experimentally investigate the large deviation properties of the stochastic work and heat of a levitated nanoparticle subjected to nonequilibrium feedback control. This setting allows us to determine for each quantity the convergence domain of the large deviation estimators using a criterion that does not require the knowledge of the probability distribution. By extracting both the asymptotic exponential decay and the subexponential prefactors, we demonstrate that singular prefactors significantly restrict the convergence characteristics. Our results provide unique insight into the approach to the asymptotic large deviation limit and underscore the pivotal role of singular prefactors.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2023

Optimal time-entropy bounds and speed limits for Brownian thermal shortcuts

By controlling in real-time the variance of the radiation pressure exerted on an optically trapped microsphere, we engineer temperature protocols that shortcut thermal relaxation when transferring the microsphere from one thermal equilibrium state to an other. We identify the entropic footprint of such accelerated transfers and derive optimal temperature protocols that either minimize the production of entropy for a given transfer duration or accelerate as much as possible the transfer for a given entropic cost. Optimizing the trade-off yields time-entropy bounds that put speed limits on thermalization schemes. We further show how optimization expands the possibilities for accelerating Brownian thermalization down to its fundamental limits. Our approach paves the way for the design of optimized, finite-time thermodynamic cycles at the mesoscale. It also offers a platform for investigating fundamental connections between information geometry and finite-time processes.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2022

Temperature dependence in fast-atom diffraction at surfaces

Grazing incidence fast atom diffraction at crystal surfaces (GIFAD or FAD) has demonstrated coherent diffraction both at effective energies close to one eV ($λ_\perp\approx$ 14 pm for He) and at elevated surface temperatures offering high topological resolution and real time monitoring of growth processes. This is explained by a favorable Debye-Waller factor specific to the multiple collision regime of grazing incidence. This paper presents the first extensive evaluation of the temperature behavior between 177 and 1017 K on a LiF surface. Similarly to diffraction at thermal energies, an exponential attenuation of the elastic intensity is observed but the maximum coherence is hardly limited by the attraction forces. It is more influenced by the surface stiffness and appears very sensitive to surface defects.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2022

MAQRO -- BPS 2023 Research Campaign Whitepaper

The objective of the proposed MAQRO mission is to harness space for achieving long free-fall times, extreme vacuum, nano-gravity, and cryogenic temperatures to test the foundations of physics in macroscopic quantum experiments. This will result in the development of novel quantum sensors and a means to probe the foundations of quantum physics at the interface with gravity. Earlier studies showed that the proposal is feasible but that several critical challenges remain, and key technologies need to be developed. These new technologies will open up the potential for achieving additional science objectives. The proposed research campaign aims to advance the state of the art and to perform the first macroscopic quantum experiments in space. Experiments on the ground, in micro-gravity, and in space will drive the proposed research campaign during the current decade to enable the implementation of MAQRO within the subsequent decade.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

Non-Markovian feedback control and acausality: an experimental study

Causality is an important assumption underlying nonequilibrium generalizations of the second law of thermodynamics known as fluctuation relations. We here experimentally study the nonequilibrium statistical properties of the work and of the entropy production for an optically trapped, underdamped nanoparticle continuously subjected to a time-delayed feedback control. Whereas the non-Markovian feedback depends on the past position of the particle for a forward trajectory, it depends on its future position for a time-reversed path, and is therefore acausal. In the steady-state regime, we show that the corresponding fluctuation relations in the long-time limit exhibit a clear signature of this acausality, even though the time-reversed dynamics is not physically realizable.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2021

Nonequilibrium control of thermal and mechanical changes in a levitated system

Fluctuation theorems are fundamental extensions of the second law of thermodynamics for small nonequilibrium systems. While work and heat are equally important forms of energy exchange, fluctuation relations have not been experimentally assessed for the generic situation of simultaneous mechanical and thermal changes. Thermal driving is indeed generally slow and more difficult to realize than mechanical driving. Here, we use feedback cooling techniques to implement fast and controlled temperature variations of an underdamped levitated microparticle that are one order of magnitude faster than the equilibration time. Combining mechanical and thermal control, we verify the validity of a fluctuation theorem that accounts for both contributions, well beyond the range of linear response theory. Our results allow the investigation of general far-from-equilibrium processes in microscopic systems that involve fast mechanical and thermal changes at the same time.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2020

Refraction of fast Ne atoms in the attractive well of LiF(001) surface

Ne atoms with energies up to 3 keV are diffracted under grazing angles of incidence from a LiF(001) surface. For a small momentum component of the incident beam perpendicular to the surface, we observe an increase of the elastic rainbow angle together with a broadening of the inelastic scattering profile. We interpret these two effects as the refraction of the atomic wave in the attractive part of the surface potential. We use a fast, rigorous dynamical diffraction calculation to find a projectile-surface potential model that enables a quantitative reproduction of the experimental data for up to ten diffraction orders. This allows us to extract an attractive potential well depth of 10.4 meV. Our results set a benchmark for more refined surface potential models which include the weak Van der Waals region, a long-standing challenge in the study of atom-surface interactions.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2020

Thermodynamics of continuous non-Markovian feedback control

Feedback control mechanisms are ubiquitous in science and technology, and play an essential role in regulating physical, biological and engineering systems. The standard second law of thermodynamics does not hold in the presence of measurement and feedback. Most studies so far have extended the second law for discrete, Markovian feedback protocols; however, non-Markovian feedback is omnipresent in processes where the control signal is applied with a non-negligible delay. Here, we experimentally investigate the thermodynamics of continuous, time-delayed feedback control using the motion of an optically levitated, underdamped microparticle. We test the validity of a generalized second law which bounds the energy extracted from the system and study the breakdown of feedback cooling for very large time delays.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Quantum regime for the nuclear energy loss of fast atoms above crystal surfaces

To describe the grazing scattering of keV atoms at surface, a new quantum binary collision model have been proposed where the dynamical properties of the surface atoms are considered via the wave-function of the local Debye harmonic oscillator. This leads to a finite probability of elastic scattering where the momentum transferred during the successive binary collisions is not associated with a change of energy. This Lamb-Dicke regime of the multiple collisions at the surface produces the same coherence ratio as the modified Debye-Waller factor adapted to grazing angle fast atom diffraction (GIFAD) but with the additional ability to predict the spot shape of the inelastic diffraction profiles. In terms of energy loss, we show here that at low angle of incidence $θ$, this Lamb-Dicke effect leads to a marked $θ^7$ dependency progressively merging to the $θ^3$ classical dependency. The analytic model presented is supported by numerical simulations for neon atoms scattered off a LiF surface and remains to be confirmed by experiment

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2018

Energy loss and inelastic diffraction of fast atoms at grazing incidence

The diffraction of fast atoms at grazing incidence on crystal surfaces (GIFAD) was first interpreted only in terms of elastic diffraction from a perfectly periodic rigid surface with atoms fixed at equilibrium position. Recently, a new approach have been proposed, referred here as the quantum binary collision model (QBCM). The QBCM takes into account both the elastic and inelastic momentum transfer via the Lamb-Dicke probability. It suggests that the shape of the inelastic diffraction profiles are log-normal distributions with a variance proportional to the nuclear energy loss deposited on the surface. For keV Neon atoms impinging the LiF surface, the predictions of the QBCM in its analytic version are compared with numerical trajectory simulations. Some of the assumptions such as the planar continuous form, the possibility to neglect the role of lithium atoms and the influence of temperature are investigated. A specific energy loss dependence $ΔE\proptoθ^7$ is identified in the quasi-elastic regime merging progressively to the classical onset $ΔE\proptoθ^3$. The ratio of these two predictions highlight the role of quantum effects in the energy loss.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2017

Elastic and inelastic diffraction of fast atoms,\linebreak Debye-Waller factor and Mössbauer-Lamb-Dicke regime

The diffraction of fast atoms at crystal surfaces is ideal for a detailed investigation of the surface electronic density. However, instead of sharp diffraction spots, most experiments show elongated streaks characteristic of inelastic diffraction. This paper describes these inelastic profiles in terms of individual inelastic collisions with surface atoms taking place along the projectile trajectory and leading to vibrational excitation of the local Debye oscillator. A quasi-elastic regime where only one inelastic event contributes is identified as well as a mixed quantum-classical regime were several inelastic collision are involved. These regimes describe a smooth evolution of the scattering profiles from sharp spots to elongated streaks merging progressively into the classical diffusion regime.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2016

Helium diffraction on SiC grown graphene, qualitative and quantitative description with the hard corrugated wall model

The Moiré structure of epitaxial graphene mono layer grown on 6H-SiC(0001) has been investigated recently by grazing incidence fast atom diffraction, and the results were compared with the calculation of the structure \textit{ab initio} and exact diffraction codes. We review these results and present a complementary approach using the Hard Wall Model to extract information without any \textit{a priori}. Reversely, taking advantage of previous exact calculations we evaluate quantitatively the performance of this simplified approach by comparing predictions using the same potential energy surface.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

Image processing for grazing incidence fast atom diffraction

Grazing incidence fast atom diffraction (GIFAD, or FAD) has developed as a surface sensitive technique. GIFAD is less sensitive to thermal decoherence but more demanding in terms of surface coherence, the mean distance between defects. Such high quality surfaces can be obtained from freshly cleaved crystals or in a molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) chamber where a GIFAD setup has been installed allowing in situ operation. Based on recent publications by Atkinson et al. and Debiossac et al, the paper describes in detail the basic steps needed to measure the relative intensities of the diffraction spots. Care is taken to outline the underlying physical assumptions.

physics.atom-ph↗