Fujio Shimizu
University of Electro-Communications
Institute for Laser Science
Chofu-shi, 182-8585, Tokyo, Japan
Quantum reflection is reflection of a matter wave that occurs
when the wave encounters a steep potential slope. This reflection
is equivalent to the reflection of a light wave at a boundary
of refractive index, and the reflectivity is same regardless of
the propagation direction of the matter wave. We report in this
talk the first quantitative measurement of quantum reflection
of an atomic wave by attractive potential near the solid surface.
By changing the normal incident velocity from a few mm/s to
several tens cm/s the reflectivity varies from several 10-1
to less than 10-3. Simultaneously, the distance from the surface
to the reflecting plane varies form micron meters to several tens
nm, where the dominant interaction is van der Waals and Casimir
potentials. We will also discuss a method to increase reflection
and its technical applications.