Reflecting Atom Mirror

Scientists have successfully designed and tested a "mirror" that reflects beams of atoms in much the same way that beams of light are reflected off conventional mirrors. Previous work had allowed for the development of prisms and lenses to manipulate atoms.

The mirror requires exciting the atoms into a Rydberg state with a customized laser, then using a powerful electromagnetic field to "bounce" the excited atoms away from the mirror.

It is possible that further work in atomic optics such as this will allow for greater exploration of the wave nature of particles, a concept that is key to wave-particle duality in quantum physics.

Related Articles:

• Physical Review Letters - Normal-Incidence Electrostatic Rydberg Atom Mirror (paper requires subscription)
• Physical Review Focus - Reflections of an Atom