Atomic diffraction by nanoholes in hexagonal boron nitride

TL;DR

This study investigates helium matter wave diffraction through nanoholes in hexagonal boron nitride, revealing how hole shape and size influence diffraction patterns, which is crucial for designing nanophotonic devices with nanoscale features.

Contribution

The paper introduces a quantum-mechanical model to analyze matter wave diffraction through nanoholes in h-BN, accounting for polarization effects and dispersion interactions, advancing understanding of nanoscale patterning.

Findings

Diffraction patterns depend on hole shape and size.

Edge atom polarization ripples influence dispersion coefficients.

Smallest holes with 6 Å radius significantly affect diffraction.

Abstract

Fabricating patterned nanostructures with matter waves can help to realise new nanophotonic devices. However, due to dispersion effects, designing patterns with nanoscale features is challenging. Here, we consider the propagation of a helium matter wave through different holes in hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) as a case study for the weakest dispersion interaction and the matter wave's diffraction as it passes through the holes. We use a quantum-mechanical model to calculate the polarisability of edge atoms around the holes, where we observe polarization ripples of enhanced and reduced polarisabilities around the holes. We use these values to calculate van der Waals dispersion coefficients for the scattered helium atoms. We find that the resulting diffraction patterns are affected by the shape and size of the holes, where the smallest holes have a radius of just $6$~\AA. These results can be used to predict the resolution limits of nano-hole patterns on nanophotonic materials.