Diffraction of diatomic molecular beams: a model with applications to Talbot-Lau interferometry

TL;DR

This paper develops a model for diatomic molecular beam diffraction, analyzing how internal molecular structure affects diffraction patterns and applications like Talbot-Lau interferometry.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework for molecular diffraction considering internal interactions, with specific applications to Talbot-Lau interferometry.

Findings

Diffraction patterns vary with molecular size and internal structure.

Internal molecular interactions produce measurable corrections in diffraction.

The model applies to beam focusing and Talbot carpet phenomena.

Abstract

In this article we formulate and solve the problem of molecular beam diffraction when each molecule consists of two interacting bodies. Then, using our results, we present the diffraction patterns for various molecular sizes employing the harmonic oscillator as interaction model between the two atoms. Lastly, we analyze the corrections produced by the internal structure of the molecule in applications that include beam focusing and Talbot carpets.