Abstract
We calculate the reflection probability for ultracold sodium atoms incident on an evanescent-wave atomic mirror. For low enough energies the reflection probability curves exhibit quantum effects that are sensitive to the long-range part of the potential and can therefore be used to resolve Casimir retardation effects. We also explore the accuracy of model potentials approximating the exact atom-wall effective potential.
- Received 19 May 1998
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.58.3999
©1998 American Physical Society