Optical coherence transfer mediated by free electrons

TL;DR

This paper theoretically explores how free electrons, modulated by laser fields, can transfer quantum optical coherence to cathodoluminescence emission, potentially enabling ultra-precise nanoscale quantum system manipulation.

Contribution

It predicts phase correlations between cathodoluminescence and laser modulation in electrons, revealing a new mechanism for optical coherence transfer via free electrons.

Findings

Phase correlations between CL and laser modulation predicted.

Coherence extends to harmonics of the laser frequency.

Potential for ultra-precise nanoscale quantum control.

Abstract

We investigate theoretically the quantum-coherence properties of the cathodoluminescence (CL) emission produced by a temporally modulated electron beam. Specifically, we consider the quantum-optical correlations of CL from electrons that are previously shaped by a laser field. The main prediction here is the presence of phase correlations between the emitted CL field and the electron-modulating laser, even though the emission intensity and spectral profile are independent of the electron state. In addition, the coherence of the CL field extends to harmonics of the laser frequency. Since electron beams can be focused to below one Angstrom, their ability to transfer optical coherence could enable ultra precise excitation, manipulation, and spectroscopy of nanoscale quantum systems.