3D shaping of electron beams using amplitude masks

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates 3D shaping of electron beams using computer-generated holograms in a transmission electron microscope, enabling precise control of electron wavefunctions for advanced atomic-scale applications.

Contribution

It introduces a method to sculpt electron wavefunctions in three dimensions using amplitude masks, a novel adaptation of optical holography techniques for electron microscopy.

Findings

Electron beams can be shaped into specific 3D trajectories.

High-intensity electron beams can be formed along desired paths.

3D electron lattice hot-spots can be created for potential applications.

Abstract

Shaping the electron wavefunction in three dimensions may prove to be an indispensable tool for research involving atomic-sized particle trapping, manipulation, and synthesis. We utilize computer-generated holograms to sculpt electron wavefunctions in a standard transmission electron microscope in 3D, and demonstrate the formation of electron beams exhibiting high intensity along specific trajectories as well as shaping the beam into a 3D lattice of hot-spots. The concepts presented here are similar to those used in light optics for trapping and tweezing of particles, but at atomic scale resolutions.