No Arabic abstract
Interference between multiple distinct paths is a defining property of quantum physics, where paths may involve actual physical trajectories, as in interferometry, or transitions between different internal (e.g. spin) states, or both. A hallmark of quantum coherent evolution is the possibility to interact with a system multiple times in a phase-preserving manner. This principle underpins powerful multi-dimensional optical and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies and related techniques, including Ramseys method of separated oscillatory fields used in atomic clocks. Previously established for atomic, molecular and quantum dot systems, recent developments in the optical quantum state preparation of free electron beams suggest a transfer of such concepts to the realm of ultrafast electron imaging and spectroscopy. Here, we demonstrate the sequential coherent interaction of free electron states with two spatially separated, phase-controlled optical near-fields. Ultrashort electron pulses are acted upon in a tailored nanostructure featuring two near-field regions with anisotropic polarization response. The amplitude and relative phase of these two near-fields are independently controlled by the incident polarization state, allowing for constructive and destructive quantum interference of the subsequent interactions. Future implementations of such electron-light interferometers may yield unprecedented access to optically phase-resolved electronic dynamics and dephasing mechanisms with attosecond precision.
Ultrashort electron pulses are crucial for time-resolved electron diffraction and microscopy of fundamental light-matter interaction. In this work, we study experimentally and theoretically the generation and characterization of attosecond electron pulses by optical-field-driven compression and streaking at dielectric or absorbing interaction elements. The achievable acceleration and deflection gradient depends on the laser-electron angle, the lasers electric and magnetic field directions and the foil orientation. Electric and magnetic fields have similar contributions to the final effect and both need to be considered. Experiments and theory agree well and reveal the optimum conditions for highly efficient, velocity-matched electron-field interactions in longitudinal or transverse direction. We find that metallic membranes are optimum for light-electron control at mid-infrared or terahertz wavelengths, but dielectric membranes are excel in the visible/near-infrared regimes and are therefore ideal for the formation of attosecond electron pulses.
We investigate the dynamics of spatiotemporal optical waves with one transverse dimension that are obtained as the intersections of the dispersion cone with a plane. We show that, by appropriate spectral excitations, the three different types of conic sections (elliptic, parabolic, and hyperbolic) can lead to optical waves of the Bessel, Airy, and modified Bessel type, respectively. We find closed form solutions that accurately describe the wave dynamics and unveil their fundamental properties.
We demonstrate the possibility to create optical beams with phase singularities engraved into exotic intensity landscapes imitating the shapes of a large variety of diverse plane curves. To achieve this aim, we have developed a method for directly encoding the geometric properties of some selected curve into a single azimuthal phase factor without passing through indirect encryption methods based on lengthy numerical procedures. The outcome is utilized to mould the optic axis distribution of a liquid-crystal-based inhomogeneous waveplate. The latter is finally used to sculpt the wavefront of an input optical gaussian beam via Pancharatnam-Berry phase.
The dynamical response of a relativistic bunch of electrons injected in a planar magnetic undulator and interacting with a counterpropagating electromagnetic wave is studied. We demonstrate a resonance condition for which the free electron laser (FEL) dynamics is strongly influenced by the presence of the external field. It opens up the possibility of control of short wavelength FEL emission characteristics by changing the parameters of the microwave field without requiring change in the undulators geometry or configuration. Numerical examples, assuming realistic parameter values analogous to those of the TTF-FEL, currently under development at DESY, are given for possible control of the amplitude or the polarization of the emitted radiation.
We report on an interferometry-based measurement of the phase and group velocities of optical Bessel beams, providing confirmation of their superluminal character in the non-diffractive region. The measurements were performed in free space with a continuous wave laser and femtosecond pulses for phase and group velocities respectively. The Bessel beams were produced using a conical mirror.