Search for deviations from the ideal Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution for a gas at an interface

Abstract

The isotropic Maxwell-Boltzmann (M-B) velocity distribution is the accepted standard for a gas at thermal equilibrium, with the Doppler width considered to deliver a very precise measurement of the temperature. Nevertheless, the physical nature of the surface, and the atom-surface interaction, in its long-range (van der Waals type) regime as well as in its short-range regime leading to adsorption/desorption mechanisms, are far from the ideal situation describing the foundation of gas kinetics. Through the development of vapor spectroscopy at an interface, a high sensitivity to atoms flying nearly parallel to the gas interface is obtained, and deviations to M-B distribution could have observable effects, even affecting the ultimate limits to resolution. We report here on the development of an experiment involving a dedicated set-up of spatially-separated pump-probe experiment in a narrow cell. A first series of investigation could not evidence a deviation for Cs atom velocities at a nearly grazing incidence (typically 1.5 -5°). We discuss various technical improvements to increase the sensitivity to atoms flying parallel to the surface, along with specific spectroscopic information that may be collected. Alternately, the comparison of standard selective reflection spectroscopy with simultaneous volume spectroscopy may be a source of complementary information. At last, we discuss how the Boltzmann energy distribution, among molecular or atomic levels, may become sensitive to specific thermal exchanges at the surface, in an equilibrium situation.