Dmitrii KOUZNETSOV^* and Hilmar OBERST

Institute for Laser Science, University of Electro-Communications, 1-5-1 Chofugaoka, Chofu, Tokyo 182-8585, Japan

(Received December 8, 2004; Accepted June 30, 2005)

Reflection of waves from a ridged surface is interpreted as the spatial Zeno effect. This interpretation leads to a simple estimate for the coefficient of reflection. This estimate shows good agreement with experimental data of scattering of cold atoms from ridged surfaces.

Key words: Zeno effect, quantum reflection, specular reflection, cold atoms, atomic mirror, atom optics, screen problem

^*E-mail address: dima@ils.uec.ac.jp