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Structured quantum waves

Nature Physics volume 11, pages 629–634 (2015)Cite this article

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Abstract

The study of structured optical waves has enhanced our understanding of light and numerous experimental methods now enable the control of the angular momentum and radial distributions. Recently, these wavestructuring techniques have been successfully applied to the generation and shaping of electron beams, leading to promising practical and fundamental advances. Here, we discuss recent progress in the emerging field of electron beam shaping, and explore the unique attributes that distinguish electron beams from their photonic analogues.

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Figure 1: An example of structured light.
Figure 2: Electron structural features associated with angular momentum.
Figure 3: Electron structuring techniques.
Figure 4: Structured electron beams and their interaction with uniform magnetic fields.

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Acknowledgements

J.H., R.W.B. and E.K. acknowledge the support of the Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) Program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, 25 Templeton St. Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada,

    Jérémie Harris, Robert W. Boyd & Ebrahim Karimi

  2. CNR-Istituto Nanoscienze, Centro S3, Via G Campi 213/a I-41125 Modena, Italy,

    Vincenzo Grillo, Gian Carlo Gazzadi & Stefano Frabboni

  3. Dipartimento di Fisica Informatica e Matematica, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, via G Campi 213/a I-41125 Modena, Italy,

    Erfan Mafakheri & Stefano Frabboni

  4. Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA

    Robert W. Boyd

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  1. Jérémie Harris
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Correspondence to Ebrahim Karimi.

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Harris, J., Grillo, V., Mafakheri, E. et al. Structured quantum waves. Nature Phys 11, 629–634 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphys3404

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