Matter Wave Scattering

Diffraction of matter-waves is an important demonstration of the fact that objects in nature possess a mixture of particle-like and wave-like properties. Unlike in the case of light diffraction, matter-waves are subject to Casimir-Polder forces between themselves and diffracting obstacles. As the quest to diffract larger and larger objects continues, the interactions between the beam and the diffracting object will become more and more relevant. We undertake calculations of the effect of the Casimir-Polder interaction on a variety of matter-wave experiments, for example the `Poisson spot’ experiments of Thomas Reisinger, currently underway at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Here an on-axis bright spot appears behind a diffracting obstacle (a sphere or a disk), the intensity of which is modified by Casimir-Polder interaction between the atomic beam and the object. In future it is hoped that improved experiments will allow such a setup to push the limits of the quantum nature of matter by diffracting large particles, and perhaps become a tool for measurement of vacuum-mediated forces themselves.  

Researchers:
J. Hemmerich, R. Bennett, J. Fiedler, S. Y. Buhmann

Collaborators:
T. Resinger (Experiment | KIT)