• Featured in Physics

Microwave Chip-Based Beam Splitter for Low-Energy Guided Electrons

Jakob Hammer, Sebastian Thomas, Philipp Weber, and Peter Hommelhoff
Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 254801 – Published 23 June 2015
Physics logo See Synopsis: Chip-Size Beam Splitter for Electrons
PDFHTMLExport Citation

Abstract

We present a novel beam splitter for low-energy electrons using a micro-structured guiding potential created above the surface of a planar microwave chip. Beam splitting arises from smoothly transforming the transverse guiding potential for an electron beam from a single-well harmonic confinement into a double well, thereby generating two separated output beams with 5 mm lateral spacing. Efficient beam splitting is observed for electron kinetic energies up to 3 eV, in excellent agreement with particle tracking simulations. We discuss prospects of this novel beam splitter approach for electron-based quantum matter-wave optics experiments.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 12 August 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.114.254801

© 2015 American Physical Society

Synopsis

Key Image

Chip-Size Beam Splitter for Electrons

Published 23 June 2015

A new electron beam splitter that fits on a millimeter-sized chip could allow quantum optics experiments with free electrons.

See more in Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Jakob Hammer*, Sebastian Thomas, Philipp Weber, and Peter Hommelhoff

  • Department für Physik, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstraße 1, 91058 Erlangen, Germany

  • *jakob.hammer@fau.de

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 114, Iss. 25 — 26 June 2015

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×