Coherent scattering of an optically-modulated electron beam by atoms

TL;DR

This paper theoretically explores how optically-modulated high-energy electron beams interact with atoms, revealing quantum interference effects that could enhance high-resolution ultrafast electron microscopy.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework for understanding quantum interference in electron-atom scattering with optically-modulated electron pulses, highlighting potential microscopy applications.

Findings

Quantum interference modulates scattering cross sections.

Interference effects have Angstrom-level spatial sensitivity.

Potential for high-resolution ultrafast electron microscopy.

Abstract

Recent technological advances allowed the coherent optical manipulation of high-energy electron wavepackets with attosecond precision. Here we theoretically investigate the collision of optically-modulated pulsed electron beams with atomic targets and reveal a quantum interference associated with different momentum components of the incident broadband electron pulse, which coherently modulates both the elastic and inelastic scattering cross sections. We show that the quantum interference has a high spatial sensitivity at the level of Angstroms, offering potential applications in high-resolution ultrafast electron microscopy. Our findings are rationalized by a simple model.