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.
- Received 12 August 2014
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.114.254801
© 2015 American Physical Society
Synopsis
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.
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