Optical coherence transfer mediated by free electrons

Ofer Kfir*, Valerio Di Giulio, F. Javier García de Abajo, Claus Ropers

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

69 Scopus citations

Abstract

We theoretically investigate the quantum-coherence properties of the cathodoluminescence (CL) emission produced by a temporally modulated electron beam. Specifically, we consider the quantum-optical correlations of CL produced by electrons that are previously shaped by a laser field. Our main prediction is the presence of phase correlations between the emitted CL field and the electron-modulating laser, even though the emission intensity and spectral profile are independent of the electron state. In addition, the coherence of the CL field extends to harmonics of the laser frequency. Since electron beams can be focused to below 1 Å, their ability to transfer optical coherence could enable the ultra-precise excitation, manipulation, and spectrally resolved probing of nanoscale quantum systems.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbereabf6380
JournalScience advances
Volume7
Issue number18
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2021
Externally publishedYes

Funding

FundersFunder number
Horizon 2020 Framework Programme713729, 101017720, 789104
Not added103602

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