Leeyeong Kim
Quantum Nanophysics Group, Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna
Atom scattering is a powerful experimental tool for investigating the structural and dynamic properties of surfaces and atom–surface interactions. Thermal energy atom scattering (TEAS) and grazing incidence fast atom diffraction (GIFAD) are commonly used methods for studying these interactions. However, due to the relatively high energy scale of these probes (tens of meV), investigating interactions dominated by dispersive atom–surface potentials remain challenging. In this presentation, I will introduce a novel technique for studying dispersive atom–surface interactions by scattering thermal energy atoms or molecules off surfaces under grazing incidence conditions. This study comprehensively analyzes the scattering of 4He atoms, small 4He clusters, and D2 molecules from rough solid surfaces and gratings with varying periods, shapes, and materials. The results provide new insights into the underlying phenomena in grazing incidence thermal-energy atom
scattering.