This research program focuses on the study of reflection of atoms from surfaces at very small incident kinetic energies. The work will rely on recent advances in cooling and trapping of neutral atoms to create an ultracold atomic beam. The atoms will be launched at a controlled velocity toward a surface and the reflection probability will be measured. As a first test of the system, quantum reflection from an evanescent wave mirror will be measured. In the next stage of research, quantum reflection will be studied in an atomic interferometer. Reflection from a variety of surfaces will then be studied without the evanescent wave in order to probe fundamental atom-surface interactions.
