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Weak measurements and quantum-to-classical transitions in free electron-photon interactions
Yiming Pan1,2,3, Eliahu Cohen4, Ebrahim Karimi5
1School of Physical Science and Technology and Center for Transformative Science, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 200031, China. yiming.pan@shanghaitech.edu.cn.
Light, Science & Applications
|November 8, 2023
Summary
This study introduces a new framework to understand quantum-to-classical measurement transitions in electron-photon interactions. It shows classical interactions emerge from weak quantum measurements, quantified by a universal factor.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Mechanics
- Quantum Optics
- Light-Matter Interactions
Background:
- The quantum-to-classical transition of measurement is a fundamental question in quantum mechanics.
- Understanding this transition is crucial for both theoretical foundations and practical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and experimentally validate a new measurement-based framework for characterizing classical and quantum free electron-photon interactions.
- To analyze the transition from projective to weak measurement in light-matter interactions.
Main Methods:
- Development of a novel measurement-based framework.
- Analysis of generic light-matter interactions, focusing on the transition from projective to weak measurement.
- Experimental verification using photon-induced near-field electron microscopy and a dynamic light scattering (DLS) apparatus.
Main Results:
- Classical electron-laser-beam interactions can be represented as outcomes of weak measurements.
- Amplified weak values explain classical point-particle acceleration.
- A universal factor, [Formula: see text], quantifies measurement regimes and the quantum-to-classical transition, where [Formula: see text] is the ratio of electron wavepacket size to optical wavelength.
Conclusions:
- The developed framework provides new insights into the quantum-to-classical transition in electrodynamics.
- The study demonstrates the utility of weak measurement principles for understanding diverse light-matter interactions.
- This research enables the application of wave-particle duality in both quantum measurement and classical phenomena.
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