Emanuele Galiffi — Imperial College London #
Ab initio 2D computations for quantum reflection from metallic surfaces#
The numerical study of scattering problems finds a wide range of applications in
surface science, and in particular quantum reflection (QR). We present a highly optimised,
norm-preserving method to compute QR of slow atoms from metallic surfaces by
numerically solving the Time-Dependent Schrödinger Equation in 2D. The aim of our study
is to provide a proof of principle that QR from 2D uni-axially periodic potential structures
can be investigated in a time-dependent fashion. To this end, the numerical procedures
used are presented, as well as the first successful comparisons with 1D results for QR from
static and oscillating 1D potentials and the first results for QR from a truly 2D nonseparable
potential. This enables the first systematic investigation of atom-surface
potentials where Casimir interactions are relevant, as well as numerical tests on quantum
diffraction.