Coherence and Indistinguishability of Single Electrons Emitted by Independent Sources

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the generation and interference of indistinguishable single-electron wavepackets from independent sources, advancing quantum electron control for quantum information applications.

Contribution

It presents the first experimental observation of two-electron interference from independent, synchronized single-electron sources in a quantum conductor.

Findings

Two-electron interference observed with independent sources.

Electrons exit different outputs due to quantum exchange.

Synchronization enables manipulation of single-electron wavepackets.

Abstract

The on-demand emission of coherent and indistinguishable electrons by independent synchronized sources is a challenging task of quantum electronics, in particular regarding its application for quantum information processing. Using two independent on-demand electron sources, we trigger the emission of two single-electron wavepackets at different inputs of an electronic beamsplitter. Whereas classical particles would be randomly partitioned by the splitter, we observe two-particle interferences resulting from quantum exchange. Both electrons, emitted in indistinguishable wavepackets with synchronized arrival time on the splitter, exit in different outputs as recorded by the low frequency current noise. The demonstration of two-electron interference provides the possibility to manipulate coherent and indistinguishable single-electron wavepackets in quantum conductors.