Radiative loss of coherence in free electrons: a long-range quantum phenomenon

Cruz I. Velasco; Valerio Di Giulio; F. Javier García de Abajo

doi:10.1038/s41377-023-01361-6

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Radiative loss of coherence in free electrons: a long-range quantum phenomenon

Original Articles

- Radiative loss of coherence in free electrons: a long-range quantum phenomenon
- Radiative loss of coherence in free electrons: a long-range quantum phenomenon
- LSA 2024年13卷第2期页码：294-301
- Affiliations：
  
  1.ICFO-Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain
  2.ICREA-Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Passeig Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
- Author bio：
  
  F. Javier García de Abajo (javier.garciadeabajo@nanophotonics.es)
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1038/s41377-023-01361-6
  中图分类号：
- 收稿日期：2023-09-09，
  
  修回日期：2023-12-12，
  
  录用日期：2023-12-13，
  
  网络出版日期：2024-01-26，
  
  纸质出版日期：2024-02-29
- Accepted：
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Radiative loss of coherence in free electrons: a long-range quantum phenomenon[J]. LSA, 2024,13(2):294-301.

Velasco, C. I., Di Giulio, V. & García de Abajo, F. J. Radiative loss of coherence in free electrons: a long-range quantum phenomenon. Light: Science & Applications, 13, 294-301 (2024).
Radiative loss of coherence in free electrons: a long-range quantum phenomenon[J]. LSA, 2024,13(2):294-301. DOI： 10.1038/s41377-023-01361-6.

Velasco, C. I., Di Giulio, V. & García de Abajo, F. J. Radiative loss of coherence in free electrons: a long-range quantum phenomenon. Light: Science & Applications, 13, 294-301 (2024). DOI： 10.1038/s41377-023-01361-6.

摘要

Abstract

Quantum physics rules the dynamics of small objects as they interact over microscopic length scales. Nevertheless

quantum correlations involving macroscopic distances can be observed between entangled photons as well as in atomic gases and matter waves at low temperatures. The long-range nature of the electromagnetic coupling between charged particles and extended objects could also trigger quantum phenomena over large distances. Here

we reveal a manifestation of quantum mechanics that involves macroscopic distances and results in a nearly complete depletion of coherence associated with which-way free-electron interference produced by electron–radiation coupling in the presence of distant extended objects. This is a ubiquitous effect that we illustrate through a rigorous theoretical analysis of a two-path electron beam interacting with a semi-infinite metallic plate and find the inter-path coherence to vanish proportionally to the path separation at zero temperature and exponentially at finite temperature. The investigated regime of large distances originates in the coupling of the electron to radiative modes assisted by diffraction at material structures but without any involvement of material excitations. Besides the fundamental interest of this macroscopic quantum phenomenon

our results suggest an approach to measuring the vacuum temperature and nondestructively sensing the presence of distant objects.

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references

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