Ridged mirror

In atomic physics, a ridged mirror (or ridged atomic mirror, or Fresnel diffraction mirror) is a kind of atomic mirror, designed for the specular reflection of neutral particles (atoms) coming at a grazing incidence angle.

[1] Various estimates for the efficiency of quantum reflection of waves from ridged mirror were discussed in the literature.

All the estimates explicitly use the de Broglie theory about wave properties of reflected atoms.

The ridges enhance the quantum reflection from the surface, reducing the effective constant

of the van der Waals attraction of atoms to the surface.

Such estimate predicts the enhancement of the reflectivity at the increase of period

See quantum reflection for the approximation (fit) of the function

Then, it can be interpreted in terms of the Fresnel diffraction[2][3] of the de Broglie wave, or the Zeno effect;[4] such interpretation leads to the estimate the reflectivity where the grazing angle

This estimate predicts enhancement of the reflectivity at the reduction of period

For efficient ridged mirrors, both estimates above should predict high reflectivity.

[5] Ridged mirrors are not yet commercialized, although certain achievements can be mentioned.

The reflectivity of a ridged atomic mirror can be orders of magnitude better than that of a flat surface.

The use of a ridged mirror as an atomic hologram has been demonstrated.

An ellipsoidal ridged mirror is proposed as the focusing element for an atomic optical system with submicrometre resolution (atomic nanoscope).