Quantum reflection of bright matter-wave solitons

TL;DR

This paper explores using bright matter-wave solitons from Bose-Einstein condensates to investigate quantum reflection at surfaces, highlighting their advantages in control and measurement accuracy due to their self-trapped nature.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method employing bright solitons to study quantum reflection, leveraging their non-dispersive and robust properties for improved experimental precision.

Findings

Bright solitons enable precise velocity control during surface reflection.

Self-trapped solitons produce clean, undisturbed reflection profiles.

Numerical models confirm the effectiveness of solitons in quantum reflection measurements.

Abstract

We propose the use of bright matter-wave solitons formed from Bose-Einstein condensates with attractive interactions to probe and study quantum reflection from a solid surface at normal incidence. We demonstrate that the presence of attractive interatomic interactions leads to a number of advantages for the study of quantum reflection. The absence of dispersion as the soliton propagates allows precise control of the velocity normal to the surface and for much lower velocities to be achieved. Numerical modelling shows that the robust, self-trapped nature of bright solitons leads to a clean reflection from the surface, limiting the disruption of the density profile and permitting accurate measurements of the reflection probability.