Single-Pixel Imaging in Space and Time with Optically-Modulated Free Electrons

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel single-pixel imaging method using optically-modulated free electrons in ultrafast electron microscopes, enabling sub-nanometer spatial and temporal resolution for sensitive samples.

Contribution

It introduces a new electron-based single-pixel imaging technique that surpasses optical diffraction limits and is compatible with existing electron microscopes.

Findings

Simulated electron beam profiles with optical modulation.

Feasibility demonstrated with realistic illumination patterns.

Potential for low-dose, high-resolution biological imaging.

Abstract

Single-pixel imaging, originally developed in light optics, facilitates fast three-dimensional sample reconstruction, as well as probing with light wavelengths undetectable by conventional multi-pixel detectors. However, the spatial resolution of optics-based single-pixel microscopy is limited by diffraction to hundreds of nanometers. Here, we propose an implementation of single-pixel imaging relying on attainable modifications of currently available ultrafast electron microscopes in which optically-modulated electrons are used instead of photons to achieve sub-nanometer spatially- and temporally-resolved single-pixel imaging. We simulate electron beam profiles generated by interaction with the optical field produced by an externally programable spatial light modulator and demonstrate the feasibility of the method by showing that the sample image and its temporal evolution can be reconstructed using realistic imperfect illumination patterns. Electron single-pixel imaging holds strong potential for application in low-dose probing of beam-sensitive biological and molecular samples, including rapid screening during in-situ experiments.