‘Twisted’ electrons

Larocque, H., Kaminer, I., Grillo, V., Leuchs, G., Padgett, M. J. , Boyd, R. W., Segev, M. and Karimi, E. (2018) ‘Twisted’ electrons. Contemporary Physics, 59(2), pp. 126-144. (doi: 10.1080/00107514.2017.1418046)

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Abstract

Electrons have played a significant role in the development of many fields of physics during the last century. The interest surrounding them mostly involved their wave-like features prescribed by the quantum theory. In particular, these features correctly predict the behaviour of electrons in various physical systems including atoms, molecules, solid-state materials, and even in free space. Ten years ago, new breakthroughs were made, arising from the new ability to bestow orbital angular momentum (OAM) to the wave function of electrons. This quantity, in conjunction with the electron’s charge, results in an additional magnetic property. Owing to these features, OAM-carrying, or twisted, electrons can effectively interact with magnetic fields in unprecedented ways and have motivated materials scientists to find new methods for generating twisted electrons and measuring their OAM content. Here, we provide an overview of such techniques along with an introduction to the exciting dynamics of twisted electrons.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was supported by Canada Research Chairs; Canada Excellence Research Chairs, Government of Canada (CERC); Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC); Max Planck-University of Ottawa Centre for Extreme and Quantum Photonics, and the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (Q-SORT) [grant number 766970].
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Boyd, Professor Robert and Padgett, Professor Miles
Authors: Larocque, H., Kaminer, I., Grillo, V., Leuchs, G., Padgett, M. J., Boyd, R. W., Segev, M., and Karimi, E.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Contemporary Physics
Publisher:Taylor & Francis
ISSN:0010-7514
ISSN (Online):1366-5812
Published Online:07 February 2018

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