Semi-quantum approach for fast atom diffraction: solving the rainbow divergence

TL;DR

This paper introduces the SIVR method, a distorted wave approach based on IVR, to accurately model rainbow effects in atom diffraction patterns, overcoming divergence issues of traditional semiclassical methods.

Contribution

The paper presents the Surface Initial Value Representation (SIVR) approximation, a novel semiclassical method that improves the description of rainbow effects in atom-surface diffraction.

Findings

SIVR accurately reproduces quantum interference in diffraction patterns.

The method remains stable near classical rainbow angles where other semiclassical methods diverge.

Application to He-LiF(001) collisions shows excellent agreement with experimental data.

Abstract

In this work we introduce a distorted wave method, based on the Initial Value Representation (IVR) approach of the quantum evolution operator, in order to improve the semiclassical description of rainbow effects in diffraction patterns produced by grazing scattering of fast atoms from crystal surfaces. The proposed theory, named Surface Initial Value Representation (SIVR) approximation, is applied to He atoms colliding with a LiF(001) surface along low indexed crystallographic channels. For this collision system the SIVR approach provides a very good representation of the quantum interference structures of experimental projectile distributions, even in the angular region around classical rainbow angles where common semiclassical methods diverge.