Reflectivity for the static potential as a function of x₀

Figure 1. Reflectivity for the static potential as a function of x₀. Results obtained by integrating the time-dependent Schrödinger equation (filled circles) and by solving the stationary Schrödinger equation (dashed line) are shown. The solid line shows the averages calculated between subsequent maxima by double-geometric averaging.

Abstract

We describe an experimentally realistic situation of the quantum reflection of helium atoms from an oscillating surface. The temporal modulation of the potential induces clear sidebands in the reflection probability as a function of momentum. These sidebands could be exploited to slow down atoms and molecules in the experiment.