Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Acta Physica Sinica

EXPERIMENTAL METHOD FOR ELECTRON INTERFERENCE AND HOLOGRAPHY

Hanqing Cao, Jianwen Chen, Shufen Fu, Dake Zhang, Wang Zhijiang, (1)上海宝山钢铁总厂研究室; (2)中国科学院上海光学精密机械研究所

Published Jan 1, 1987• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In this paper, the five arrangements of optical system are briefly compared with each other, by which the experiments of electron interference and holography have been carried out up to now. Using a Mollenstedt electron static bi-prism as the beam splitter, two operation modes making the experiment successfully in JEM-200CX type electron microscope are presented. Some parameters of the experimental and calculated results are given. Finally, on the basis of our own experience, we propose some points for attention in operating.

DOI
10.7498/aps.36.10

Related papers

Interference experiment with asymmetric double slit by using 1.2-MV field emission transmission electron microscope

Ken Harada, Tetsuya Akashi, Kodai Niitsu +5 more

Advanced electron microscopy technologies have made it possible to perform precise double-slit interference experiments. We used a 1.2-MV field emission electron microscope providing coherent electron waves and a direct detection camera system enabling single-electron detections at a sub-second exposure time. We developed a method to perform the interference experiment by using an asymmetric double-slit fabricated by a focused ion beam instrument and by operating the microscope under a "pre-Fraunhofer" condition, different from the Fraunhofer condition of conventional double-slit experiments. Here, pre-Fraunhofer condition means that each single-slit observation was performed under the Fraunhofer condition, while the double-slit observations were performed under the Fresnel condition. The interference experiments with each single slit and with the asymmetric double slit were carried out under two different electron dose conditions: high-dose for calculation of electron probability distribution and low-dose for each single electron distribution. Finally, we exemplified the distribution of single electrons by color-coding according to the above three types of experiments as a composite image.

Scientific Reports•Jan 11, 2018•22 citations

Electron matter optics and an electron Mach -Zehnder interferometer

Glen Gronniger

The diffraction of electrons by natural crystal structures was first observed in 1927. Before the start of this work, it was not clear whether or not the high quality gratings currently available could be used for electron diffraction due to image charge and other electron grating interactions. We observe for the first time electron diffraction from man made diffraction gratings of 100 nm periodicity. The high quality of diffraction and the ability to "pick" the periodicity allowed us to construct the first Mach-Zehnder electron interferometer using these gratings. Multiple approaches, including a prototype of our current interferometer and the combination of a grating with an electron bi-prism, were unsuccessful. Many stabilization issues must be overcome to observe electron interference fringes in the interferometer. Many experimental design ideas were used to reach proper stabilization requirements. The final interferometer design constructed was the only interferometer to obtain electron interference fringes. The theoretical model used to analyze the data is based on the path integral formalism. This calculates the amplitude associated with all classical paths through the experimental device. The sum of all amplitudes, the path integral, yields the resulting probability at the detection screen. We obtain good fits between our path integral calculations and experimental data. Alternate explanations of our data, such as the possibilities of Talbot Lau and classical Moiré interferometers are ruled out in favor of the Mach-Zehnder explanation. This type of interferometer could be used for future experiments. An experiment for which the fundamental quantum mechanical experiment has never been done; observing the dispersion-less nature of the Aharonov-Bohm Effect, may lend itself to the characteristics of this type of interferometer. Preliminary calculations have been performed to investigate the feasibility of using the grating technology to perform the required experiment.

•Jan 1, 2006•0 citations

ATOMIC HOLOGRAPHY APPLICATION

Xueyan Xu

Compared with optics holography,the atom holography is one kind of new micro-image technology.The resolving power of the image is obtained the enormous enhancement because the atomic beam replace the light beam.In this article,we summarize the research progress in the atom holography,and narrate the concrete application of atom holography in the modern scientific domain.

•Jan 1, 2006•0 citations

Intensity Distributions in Electron Interference Phenomena Produced by an Electrostatic Bi-prism

Jiřı́ Komrska, V. Drahoš, A. Delong

The paper describes a model of electron interference obtained using an electrostatic bi-prism. The model is an approximation to the actual interference process, in which two diffracted waves, each representing the diffraction of electrons emerging from a single source by an opaque half-plane, are superposed in such a way that the half-planes are of opposite orientation and overlap by a distance equal to the width of the bi-prism filament. The intensity distribution in the interference pattern calculated according to the formula derived from this model is in an exact agreement with the intensity distribution found experimentally. This makes it possible to present a consistent quantitative explanation of all the special properties of the interference pattern, including intensity modulation of the fringes. The model may also serve for detailed interpretation of some interference phenomena in light optics, such as those observed with the help of Fresnel mirrors or a Fresnel bi-prism.

Optica Acta International Journal of Optics•Apr 1, 1967•26 citations

Study on A. Tonomura's Experiment of Bi-prism of Electron Beam

Yoshifumi Ito

In this article, we study A. Tonomura's experiment of bi-prism of electron beam. Thereby, we verify the two facts that an electron is a particle and that the observation of the natural statistical phenomena is the sampling of the natural random variable defined on a certain physical system.

•Jan 1, 2013•4 citations

An experiment on the particle–wave nature of electrons

Gioṙgio Matteucci, A. Migliori, Francisco F. Medina +1 more

A primary electron beam of a transmission electron microscope is scattered into secondary beams by the planes of atoms of a single crystal. These secondary beams are focused to form a diffraction pattern on the final screen. This experiment is similar to the Thompson one which, independently by Davisson and Germer, demonstrated the de Broglie hypothesis of the existence of electron waves. Without changing the experimental apparatus, it is possible to realize an interference experiment with electrons coming from two spatially separated sources in analogy with the optical Young set-up. Both experiments are clear evidence of the electron wave-like behaviour. By varying the conditions of illumination, changes of the fringe visibility which reveal the spatial coherence properties of the electron beam, are displayed.

European Journal of Physics•Dec 22, 2008•9 citations
In this paper, the five arrangements of optical system are briefly compared with each other, by which the experiments of electron interference and holography have been carried out up to now. Using a Mollenstedt electron static bi-prism as the beam splitter, two operation modes making the experiment successfully in JEM-200CX type electron microscope are presented. Some parameters of the experimental and calculated results are given. Finally, on the basis of our own experience, we propose some points for attention in operating.
Advanced electron microscopy technologies have made it possible to perform precise double-slit interference experiments. We used a 1.2-MV field emission electron microscope providing coherent electron waves and a direct detection camera system enabling single-electron detections at a sub-second exposure time. We developed a method to perform the interference experiment by using an asymmetric double-slit fabricated by a focused ion beam instrument and by operating the microscope under a "pre-Fraunhofer" condition, different from the Fraunhofer condition of conventional double-slit experiments. Here, pre-Fraunhofer condition means that each single-slit observation was performed under the Fraunhofer condition, while the double-slit observations were performed under the Fresnel condition. The interference experiments with each single slit and with the asymmetric double slit were carried out under two different electron dose conditions: high-dose for calculation of electron probability distribution and low-dose for each single electron distribution. Finally, we exemplified the distribution of single electrons by color-coding according to the above three types of experiments as a composite image.
The diffraction of electrons by natural crystal structures was first observed in 1927. Before the start of this work, it was not clear whether or not the high quality gratings currently available could be used for electron diffraction due to image charge and other electron grating interactions. We observe for the first time electron diffraction from man made diffraction gratings of 100 nm periodicity. The high quality of diffraction and the ability to "pick" the periodicity allowed us to construct the first Mach-Zehnder electron interferometer using these gratings. Multiple approaches, including a prototype of our current interferometer and the combination of a grating with an electron bi-prism, were unsuccessful. Many stabilization issues must be overcome to observe electron interference fringes in the interferometer. Many experimental design ideas were used to reach proper stabilization requirements. The final interferometer design constructed was the only interferometer to obtain electron interference fringes. The theoretical model used to analyze the data is based on the path integral formalism. This calculates the amplitude associated with all classical paths through the experimental device. The sum of all amplitudes, the path integral, yields the resulting probability at the detection screen. We obtain good fits between our path integral calculations and experimental data. Alternate explanations of our data, such as the possibilities of Talbot Lau and classical Moiré interferometers are ruled out in favor of the Mach-Zehnder explanation. This type of interferometer could be used for future experiments. An experiment for which the fundamental quantum mechanical experiment has never been done; observing the dispersion-less nature of the Aharonov-Bohm Effect, may lend itself to the characteristics of this type of interferometer. Preliminary calculations have been performed to investigate the feasibility of using the grating technology to perform the required experiment.
The paper describes a model of electron interference obtained using an electrostatic bi-prism. The model is an approximation to the actual interference process, in which two diffracted waves, each representing the diffraction of electrons emerging from a single source by an opaque half-plane, are superposed in such a way that the half-planes are of opposite orientation and overlap by a distance equal to the width of the bi-prism filament. The intensity distribution in the interference pattern calculated according to the formula derived from this model is in an exact agreement with the intensity distribution found experimentally. This makes it possible to present a consistent quantitative explanation of all the special properties of the interference pattern, including intensity modulation of the fringes. The model may also serve for detailed interpretation of some interference phenomena in light optics, such as those observed with the help of Fresnel mirrors or a Fresnel bi-prism.
A primary electron beam of a transmission electron microscope is scattered into secondary beams by the planes of atoms of a single crystal. These secondary beams are focused to form a diffraction pattern on the final screen. This experiment is similar to the Thompson one which, independently by Davisson and Germer, demonstrated the de Broglie hypothesis of the existence of electron waves. Without changing the experimental apparatus, it is possible to realize an interference experiment with electrons coming from two spatially separated sources in analogy with the optical Young set-up. Both experiments are clear evidence of the electron wave-like behaviour. By varying the conditions of illumination, changes of the fringe visibility which reveal the spatial coherence properties of the electron beam, are displayed.