Pulsed Standing-Wave Mirror for Neutral Atoms and Molecules

Reflection of neutral atoms and molecules by a pulsed standing wave with a duration on the order of nanoseconds is studied. It is shown that, with a suitable choice of the laser parameter values, each period of the standing-wave pattern functions as an independent mirror, thus providing a novel way to manipulate large samples of neutral gas-phase particles even with a single laser pulse. At moderate field intensities, the pulsed standing-wave mirror would be directly applicable, e.g., for the manipulation of buffer-gas cooled molecules.