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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 25, 2025

The Generation of Higher-order Laguerre-Gauss Optical Beams for High-precision Interferometry

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Inelastic Mach-Zehnder Interferometry with Free Electrons.

Cameron W Johnson¹, Amy E Turner¹, F Javier García de Abajo^2,3

¹Department of Physics, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA.

Physical Review Letters

|April 27, 2022

Summary

We developed a new electron interferometer to image plasmon excitations in gold nanoparticles. This technique reveals phase shifts in electron waves, enabling nanoscale control and study of electron-matter interactions.

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Last Updated: Sep 25, 2025

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Area of Science:

Physics
Materials Science
Nanotechnology

Background:

Electron interferometry is crucial for probing quantum phenomena.
Conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) offers high spatial resolution but limited phase sensitivity for inelastic scattering.
Understanding electron-matter interactions at the nanoscale is key to developing new quantum technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

To demonstrate inelastic interferometric imaging using free electrons.
To investigate the phase shifts induced by plasmon excitations in gold nanoparticles.
To establish a new platform for nanoscale electron momentum control.

Main Methods:

Construction of a novel scanning electron Mach-Zehnder interferometer within a conventional TEM.
Preparation of electron wave functions in two paths around a gold nanoparticle.
Excitation of localized surface plasmons and subsequent recombination of electron paths for interference.

Main Results:

Measured spectra align with theoretical predictions for inelastic electron scattering.
Demonstrated that inelastic scattering introduces a π phase shift relative to elastic scattering.
Observed that the interference signal is a significant fraction of transmitted electrons, indicating sensitivity to localized optical modes.

Conclusions:

The developed scanning electron Mach-Zehnder interferometer enables sensitive inelastic interferometric imaging.
This technique provides a new method for controlling free electron transverse momentum.
It opens avenues for studying coherent electron-matter interactions at the nanoscale.