Tailoring Near-Field-Mediated Photon Electron Interactions with Light Polarization

TL;DR

This paper explores how the polarization of optical near-fields influences inelastic electron interactions, enabling precise control over electron energy transfer and wavepacket shaping through plasmonic near-field engineering.

Contribution

It demonstrates that light polarization can be used to control electron recoil pathways and tailor plasmonic field distributions for manipulating free-electron wavepackets.

Findings

Polarization controls electron acceleration and deceleration pathways.

Nanorod arrangements tailor plasmonic field shapes.

Enhanced control over electron recoil mechanisms.

Abstract

Inelastic interaction of free-electrons with optical near fields has recently attracted attention for manipulating and shaping free-electron wavepackets. Understanding the nature and the dependence of the inelastic cross section on the polarization of the optical near-field is important for both fundamental aspects and the development of new applications in quantum-sensitive measurements. Here, we investigate the effect of the polarization and the spatial profile of plasmonic near-field distributions on shaping free-electrons and controlling the energy transfer mechanisms, but also tailoring the electron recoil. We particularly show that polarization of the exciting light can be used as a control knop for disseminating the acceleration and deceleration path ways via the experienced electron recoil. We also demonstrate the possibility of tailoring the shape of the localized plasmons by incorporating specific arrangements of nanorods to enhance or hamper the transversal and longitudinal recoils of free-electrons. Our findings open up a route towards plasmonic near-fields-engineering for the coherent manipulation and control of slow electron beams for creating desired shapes of electron wavepackets.