NIST Technicalendar Single Item Display: Meeting at NIST Item ID: 102812John0.102290675952

10/16/08 10:30 AM - CNST ELECTRON PHYSICS GROUP SEMINAR: ELECTRON DIFFRACTION AND INTERFEROMETRY WITH NANO-GRATINGS

We used nano-manufactured gratings to diffract and interfere low energy (0.3-5keV) electron matter waves. This demonstrates that nanostructures can be used for coherent electron optics, despite the keen sensitivity of low energy electrons to weak electromagnetic interactions. We use this sensitivity to probe the self-induced 'image charge' potential between moving electrons and the surfaces of the grating, which are less than 25nm away. We have observed several interference phenomena using electron beams with very different spatial coherence properties, and we have developed a theoretical framework based on Gaussian Schell-model beams that can efficiently model all types of interferometers that use diffraction gratings and partially coherent beams. I will discuss these experiments, their simulations, and the custom microscope we built for the research. I will also present ideas for future research directions afforded by electron interferometry.

Benjamin McMorran , Ph.D. Candidate, University of Arizona.

Bldg. 217, Rm. H107. (NIST Contact: John Unguris, 301-975-3712, john.unguris@nist.gov)