Exchanged momentum between moving atoms and a surface wave: theory and experiment

Abstract

Momentum transfer during the resonant interaction between moving atoms and surface waves is calculated using a semi-classical method. Results show a greater Doppler shift than the one obtained in similar analysis with a plane homogeneous wave interacting with moving atoms. In order to measure such a small frequency shift, an atomic clock technique is used (accuracy: 10−10). An appropriate choice of surface wave frequency is the centimetre wavelength. The ΔF = 1, Δm = 0 transition in 87Rb is used and detected by the well-known optical pumping method.Experimental results are obtained for two different Rb atom speeds and compared with theoretical values.