Orthogonality Catastrophe in Quantum Sticking

TL;DR

This paper explores how quantum effects, specifically quantum reflection and the orthogonality catastrophe, influence particle sticking probabilities on surfaces at ultralow energies, with implications for quantum devices and surface science.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the orthogonality catastrophe can significantly modify quantum sticking probabilities, revealing a new quantum effect affecting surface interactions.

Findings

Orthogonality catastrophe can create superreflective surfaces at low energies.

Quantum reflection suppresses particle-surface interactions at ultralow energies.

The combined quantum effects alter traditional understanding of surface sticking probabilities.

Abstract

The probability that a particle will stick to a surface is fundamental to a variety of processes in surface science, including catalysis, epitaxial growth, and corrosion. At ultralow energies, how particles scatter or stick to a surface affects the performance of atomic clocks, matter-wave interferometers, atom chips and other quantum information processing devices. In this energy regime, the sticking probability is influenced by a distinctly quantum mechanical effect: quantum reflection, a result of matter wave coherence, suppresses the probability of finding the particle near the surface and reduces the sticking probability. We find that another quantum effect can occur, further shaping the sticking probability: the orthogonality catastrophe, a result of the change in the quantum ground state of the surface in the presence of a particle, can dramatically alter the probability for quantum sticking and create a superreflective surface at low energies.