QUANTUM REFLECTION AND THE INTERACTIONS OF ULTRACOLD ATOMS WITH SURFACES AND NANOSTRUCTURES

• Main Author: Javier Madroñero
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad Nacional de Colombia 2011-01-01
• Series: Momento
• Subjects: Fuerza de Casimir; Dispersión; Sistemas híbridos.
• Online Access: https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/momento/article/view/34292

Quantum reflection refers to the reflection of particles by attractive long-range potentials in nonclassical regions of coordinate space without reaching a classical turning point. Recent advances in nanotechnology and in cooling processes of atoms and molecules give rise to the creation of hybrid systems involving ultracold atoms and nanostructures, where quantum reflection might play an important role. In this work we review some fundamental aspects of quantum reflection. These include the description of atom-surface interactions -which are originated from the vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field-, the near-threshold characterization of quantum reflection, possible applications for trapping and guiding ultracold atoms, and the description of scattering processes in a basic hybrid system: ultracold atoms interacting with nanotubes.