Nondestructive measurement of orbital angular momentum for an electron beam

Larocque, H., Bouchard, F., Grillo, V., Sit, A., Frabboni, S., Dunin-Borkowski, R. E., Padgett, M. J. , Boyd, R. W. and Karimi, E. (2016) Nondestructive measurement of orbital angular momentum for an electron beam. Physical Review Letters, 117(15), 154801. (doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.117.154801) (PMID:27768337)

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Abstract

Free electrons with a helical phase front, referred to as “twisted” electrons, possess an orbital angular momentum (OAM) and, hence, a quantized magnetic dipole moment along their propagation direction. This intrinsic magnetic moment can be used to probe material properties. Twisted electrons thus have numerous potential applications in materials science. Measuring this quantity often relies on a series of projective measurements that subsequently change the OAM carried by the electrons. In this Letter, we propose a nondestructive way of measuring an electron beam’s OAM through the interaction of this associated magnetic dipole with a conductive loop. Such an interaction results in the generation of induced currents within the loop, which are found to be directly proportional to the electron’s OAM value. Moreover, the electron experiences no OAM variations and only minimal energy losses upon th

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Padgett, Professor Miles and Boyd, Professor Robert
Authors: Larocque, H., Bouchard, F., Grillo, V., Sit, A., Frabboni, S., Dunin-Borkowski, R. E., Padgett, M. J., Boyd, R. W., and Karimi, E.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Physical Review Letters
Publisher:American Physical Society
ISSN:0031-9007
ISSN (Online):1079-7114
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 American Physical Society
First Published:First published in Physical Review Letters 117(15):154801
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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