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Mazor Y, Kfir O. Sub-terahertz nearfields for electron-pulse compression. OPTICS EXPRESS 2023; 31:37980-37992. [PMID: 38017916 DOI: 10.1364/oe.502407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
The advent of ultrafast science with pulsed electron beams raised the need to control the temporal features of the electron pulses. One promising suggestion is the nano-selective quantum optics with multi-electrons, which scales quadratically with the number of electrons within the coherence time of the quantum system. Terahertz (THz) radiation from optical nonlinear crystals is an attractive methodology to generate the rapidly varying electric fields necessary for electron compression, with the advantage of an inherent temporal locking to laser-triggered electrons, such as in ultrafast electron microscopes. Longer (picosecond-) pulses require a sub-THz field for their compression. However, the generation of such low frequencies requires pumping with energetic optical pulses and their focusability is fundamentally limited by their mm-wavelength. This work proposes electron-pulse compression with sub-THz fields directly in the vicinity of their dipolar origin, thereby avoiding mediation through radiation. We analyze the merits of nearfields for compression of slow electrons, particularly in challenging regimes for THz radiation, such as small numerical apertures, micro-joule-level optical pump pulses, and low frequencies. This scheme can be implemented within the tight constraints of electron microscopes and reach fields of a few kV/cm below 0.1 THz at high repetition rates. Our paradigm offers a realistic approach for controlling electron pulses spatially and temporally in many experiments, opening the path of flexible multi-electron manipulation for analytic and quantum sciences.
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Lim J, Kumar S, Ang YS, Ang LK, Wong LJ. Quantum Interference between Fundamentally Different Processes Is Enabled by Shaped Input Wavefunctions. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2205750. [PMID: 36737853 PMCID: PMC10074114 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202205750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This work presents a general framework for quantum interference between processes that can involve different fundamental particles or quasi-particles. This framework shows that shaping input wavefunctions is a versatile and powerful tool for producing and controlling quantum interference between distinguishable pathways, beyond previously explored quantum interference between indistinguishable pathways. Two examples of quantum interference enabled by shaping in interactions between free electrons, bound electrons, and photons are presented: i) the vanishing of the zero-loss peak by destructive quantum interference when a shaped electron wavepacket couples to light, under conditions where the electron's zero-loss peak otherwise dominates; ii) quantum interference between free electron and atomic (bound electron) spontaneous emission processes, which can be significant even when the free electron and atom are far apart, breaking the common notion that a free electron and an atom must be close by to significantly affect each other's processes. Conclusions show that emerging quantum wave-shaping techniques unlock the door to greater versatility in light-matter interactions and other quantum processes in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Lim
- Science, Mathematics and TechnologySingapore University of Technology and Design8 Somapah RoadSingapore487372Singapore
| | - Suraj Kumar
- School of Electrical and Electronic EngineeringNanyang Technological University50 Nanyang AvenueSingapore639798Singapore
| | - Yee Sin Ang
- Science, Mathematics and TechnologySingapore University of Technology and Design8 Somapah RoadSingapore487372Singapore
| | - Lay Kee Ang
- Science, Mathematics and TechnologySingapore University of Technology and Design8 Somapah RoadSingapore487372Singapore
| | - Liang Jie Wong
- School of Electrical and Electronic EngineeringNanyang Technological University50 Nanyang AvenueSingapore639798Singapore
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Morimoto Y. Attosecond electron-beam technology: a review of recent progress. Microscopy (Oxf) 2023; 72:2-17. [PMID: 36269108 DOI: 10.1093/jmicro/dfac054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Electron microscopy and diffraction with ultrashort pulsed electron beams are capable of imaging transient phenomena with the combined ultrafast temporal and atomic-scale spatial resolutions. The emerging field of optical electron beam control allowed the manipulation of relativistic and sub-relativistic electron beams at the level of optical cycles. Specifically, it enabled the generation of electron beams in the form of attosecond pulse trains and individual attosecond pulses. In this review, we describe the basics of the attosecond electron beam control and overview the recent experimental progress. High-energy electron pulses of attosecond sub-optical cycle duration open up novel opportunities for space-time-resolved imaging of ultrafast chemical and physical processes, coherent photon generation, free electron quantum optics, electron-atom scattering with shaped wave packets and laser-driven particle acceleration. Graphical Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Morimoto
- Ultrashort Electron Beam Science RIKEN Hakubi research team, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research (CPR), RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics (RAP), 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.,Department of Nuclear Engineering and Management, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
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Li JK, Sun K, Wang Y, Hao ZY, Liu ZH, Zhou J, Fan XY, Chen JL, Xu JS, Li CF, Guo GC. Experimental demonstration of separating the wave‒particle duality of a single photon with the quantum Cheshire cat. LIGHT, SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS 2023; 12:18. [PMID: 36599829 PMCID: PMC9813135 DOI: 10.1038/s41377-022-01063-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
As a fundamental characteristic of physical entities, wave‒particle duality describes whether a microscopic entity exhibits wave or particle attributes depending on the specific experimental setup. This assumption is premised on the notion that physical properties are inseparable from the objective carrier. However, after the concept of the quantum Cheshire cats was proposed, which makes the separation of physical attributes from the entity possible, the premise no longer holds. Furthermore, an experimental demonstration of the separation of the wave and particle attributes inspired by this scenario remains scarce. In this work, we experimentally separated the wave and particle attributes of a single photon by exploiting the quantum Cheshire cat concept for the first time. By applying a weak disturbance to the evolution of the system, we achieve an effect similar to the quantum Cheshire cat and demonstrated the separation of the wave and particle attributes via the extraction of weak values. Our work provides a new perspective for the in-depth understanding of wave‒particle duality and promotes the application of weak measurements in fundamentals of quantum mechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Kun Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
- Hefei National Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, 230088, Hefei, China
| | - Kai Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, 230088, Hefei, China.
| | - Yan Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
- Hefei National Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, 230088, Hefei, China
| | - Ze-Yan Hao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
- Hefei National Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, 230088, Hefei, China
| | - Zheng-Hao Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
- Hefei National Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, 230088, Hefei, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Theoretical Physics Division, Chern Institute of Mathematics, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Xing-Yan Fan
- Theoretical Physics Division, Chern Institute of Mathematics, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Jing-Ling Chen
- Theoretical Physics Division, Chern Institute of Mathematics, Nankai University, 300071, Tianjin, China.
| | - Jin-Shi Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, 230088, Hefei, China.
| | - Chuan-Feng Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, 230088, Hefei, China.
| | - Guang-Can Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
- Hefei National Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, 230088, Hefei, China
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Karnieli A, Tsesses S, Yu R, Rivera N, Zhao Z, Arie A, Fan S, Kaminer I. Quantum sensing of strongly coupled light-matter systems using free electrons. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadd2349. [PMID: 36598994 PMCID: PMC9812396 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add2349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Strong coupling in light-matter systems is a central concept in cavity quantum electrodynamics and is essential for many quantum technologies. Especially in the optical range, full control of highly connected multi-qubit systems necessitates quantum coherent probes with nanometric spatial resolution, which are currently inaccessible. Here, we propose the use of free electrons as high-resolution quantum sensors for strongly coupled light-matter systems. Shaping the free-electron wave packet enables the measurement of the quantum state of the entire hybrid systems. We specifically show how quantum interference of the free-electron wave packet gives rise to a quantum-enhanced sensing protocol for the position and dipole orientation of a subnanometer emitter inside a cavity. Our results showcase the great versatility and applicability of quantum interactions between free electrons and strongly coupled cavities, relying on the unique properties of free electrons as strongly interacting flying qubits with miniscule dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aviv Karnieli
- Raymond and Beverly Sackler School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shai Tsesses
- Andrew and Erna Viterbi Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Renwen Yu
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Nicholas Rivera
- Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Zhexin Zhao
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ady Arie
- School of Electrical Engineering, Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shanhui Fan
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ido Kaminer
- Andrew and Erna Viterbi Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
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Kozák M, Ostatnický T. Asynchronous Inelastic Scattering of Electrons at the Ponderomotive Potential of Optical Waves. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2022; 129:024801. [PMID: 35867456 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.129.024801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We study free electron dynamics during inelastic interaction with the ponderomotive potential of a traveling optical wave using classical and quantum-mechanical models. We show that in the strong interaction regime, the electrons trapped in the periodic potential oscillate leading to periodic revolutions of sharp peaks of the density distributions in the real and momentum spaces. In this regime, the synchronicity between the velocity of the optical wave and the electron propagation velocity is not required. Asynchronous interaction enables acceleration or deceleration of a significant fraction of the electrons to a final spectrum with a relative spectral width of 0.5%-2.5%. This technique allows one to accelerate electrons from rest to keV energies while reaching a narrow spectrum of kinetic energies and femtosecond pulsed operation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kozák
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, Ke Karlovu 3, 12116 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Ostatnický
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, Ke Karlovu 3, 12116 Prague 2, Czech Republic
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Karnieli A, Rivera N, Arie A, Kaminer I. Superradiance and Subradiance due to Quantum Interference of Entangled Free Electrons. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2021; 127:060403. [PMID: 34420316 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.127.060403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
When multiple quantum emitters radiate, their emission rate may be enhanced or suppressed due to collective interference in a process known as super- or subradiance. Such processes are well known to occur also in light emission from free electrons, known as coherent cathodoluminescence. Unlike atomic systems, free electrons have an unbounded energy spectrum, and, thus, all their emission mechanisms rely on electron recoil, in addition to the classical properties of the dielectric medium. To date, all experimental and theoretical studies of super- and subradiance from free electrons assumed only classical correlations between particles. However, dependence on quantum correlations, such as entanglement between free electrons, has not been studied. Recent advances in coherent shaping of free-electron wave functions motivate the investigation of such quantum regimes of super- and subradiance. In this Letter, we show how a pair of coincident path-entangled electrons can demonstrate either super- or subradiant light emission, depending on the two-particle wave function. By choosing different free-electron Bell states, the spectrum and emission pattern of the light can be reshaped, in a manner that cannot be accounted for by a classical mixed state. We show these results for light emission in any optical medium and discuss their generalization to many-body quantum states. Our findings suggest that light emission can be sensitive to the explicit quantum state of the emitting matter wave and possibly serve as a nondestructive measurement scheme for measuring the quantum state of many-body systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aviv Karnieli
- Raymond and Beverly Sackler School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nicholas Rivera
- Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Ady Arie
- School of Electrical Engineering, Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Ido Kaminer
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
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