Periodic Reporting for period 4 - NanoEP (Enabling Novel Electron-Polariton Physics with Nanophotonic Platforms)
Reporting period: 2024-07-01 to 2024-12-31
The project aims to improve the electron-photon energy conversion, despite the intrinsic low cross-section of light-matter interaction. We explore the electron-light-matter interaction in the quantum framework and uncover new avenues that leverage the quantum nature of free electrons.
Enhancing light-matter interaction efficiency holds significant societal benefits. Advanced X-ray sources and imaging techniques promise breakthroughs in medical diagnostics and material sciences. Efficient quantum light sources are also essential for quantum communication and computing, ensuring secure information processing and accelerating computational methods. Furthermore, improved radiation sources can contribute to sustainable technologies by minimizing energy consumption.
The primary objective is to transcend the conventional limits of electron-photon energy conversion by utilizing quantum coherence and structured electron wavefunctions. This includes the development of tunable, compact X-ray sources using van der Waals materials for precise imaging and the exploration of new quantum phases of matter through ultrafast electron microscopy. Additionally, the project seeks to advance quantum photonics by demonstrating photon entanglement and error-corrected quantum light sources, which are crucial for the next generation of quantum information technologies.
Enhancing light-matter interaction efficiency holds significant societal benefits. Advanced X-ray sources and imaging techniques promise breakthroughs in medical diagnostics and material sciences. Efficient quantum light sources are also essential for quantum communication and computing, ensuring secure information processing and accelerating computational methods. Furthermore, improved radiation sources can contribute to sustainable technologies by minimizing energy consumption.
The primary objective is to transcend the conventional limits of electron-photon energy conversion by utilizing quantum coherence and structured electron wavefunctions. This includes the development of tunable, compact X-ray sources using van der Waals materials for precise imaging and the exploration of new quantum phases of matter through ultrafast electron microscopy. Additionally, the project seeks to advance quantum photonics by demonstrating photon entanglement and error-corrected quantum light sources, which are crucial for the next generation of quantum information technologies.
The ERC grant has significantly advanced our research, resulting in 41 high-impact publications in Nature, Science, Nature Photonics, and Nature Physics. We have achieved all objectives and uncovered transformative insights into free-electron light-matter interactions.
SO 1.1: Background and Prospects on the Limits of Electron-Photon Energy Conversion
Advances in quantum electrodynamics have revealed the fundamental link between emitted light coherence and electron quantum coherence, influencing radiation efficiency [Karnieli et al., 2021]. Tailoring electron wavepackets optimizes energy transfer, enhancing photon emission through quantum interference [Karnieli et al., 2021]. The integration of resonant phase-matching further strengthens electron-light coupling [Dahan et al., 2020].
Quantum electron microscopy has provided new insights into light-matter coherence regimes [Mechel et al., 2021], while ultrafast electron microscopy has enabled visualization of charge dynamics at the nanoscale, bridging classical and quantum radiation processes [Yannai et al., 2023]. These advances shape the next generation of quantum-engineered radiation platforms.
SO 1.2: Devising Novel Free-Electron Light Emission Processes
Free-electron interactions with van der Waals (vdW) materials have enabled tunable X-ray sources with spectral control through electron energy modulation and material structuring [Shentcis et al., 2020]. The scalability of vdW materials enhances imaging and photonic applications [Shi et al., 2023].
Beyond classical radiation mechanisms, quantum free-electron interactions have facilitated the generation of novel quantum light, including Schrödinger cat states, Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill (GKP) states, and entangled photon pairs [Hayun et al., 2021]. Free electrons also mediate photon entanglement, with implications for quantum computing and error correction [Baranes et al., 2022; Baranes et al., 2023].
SO 2.1: Observing Exotic Polaritons in 2D Materials and Their Heterostructures Using the Interacting Electron as a Probe
Free electrons have proven to be powerful probes of polaritonic excitations in 2D materials. Ultrafast transmission electron microscopy (UTEM) has visualized full-wave polariton dynamics, revealing acceleration, deceleration, and wave packet splitting [Kurman et al., 2021]. Observations of 2D Cherenkov radiation have introduced new regimes of free-electron-driven interactions, enabling tunable nanoscale photonics [Adiv et al., 2023].
Additionally, free-electron interactions with photonic cavities enhance coupling strength, fostering quantum photonic applications [Wang et al., 2020]. Optical vortices in van der Waals materials provide new methods for controlling structured light-matter interactions [Kurman et al., 2023].
SO 2.2: Accessing New Phases of Matter in Materials Supporting Polaritons or Affected by Them
Free-electron quantum sensing has uncovered hybrid light-matter states at the nanoscale, exposing new quantum phase transitions [Karnieli et al., 2023]. Ultrafast electron microscopy has captured laser-driven phase transitions, illustrating electronic and phononic system restructuring [Yannai et al., 2024].
Coherently shaped free electrons refine atomic-scale coherence probing, improving our understanding of extreme material transformations [Ruimy et al., 2021]. The ability to imprint quantum photonic statistics onto free electrons enhances quantum correlation studies in light-matter interactions [Dahan et al., 2021]. Advances in magnetic near-field quantum metrology provide deeper insight into spin interactions and quantum material coherence [Mechel et al., 2021].
These advancements affirm free electrons as essential tools for accessing and manipulating quantum material phases, driving the evolution of nanoscale characterization techniques.
SO 1.1: Background and Prospects on the Limits of Electron-Photon Energy Conversion
Advances in quantum electrodynamics have revealed the fundamental link between emitted light coherence and electron quantum coherence, influencing radiation efficiency [Karnieli et al., 2021]. Tailoring electron wavepackets optimizes energy transfer, enhancing photon emission through quantum interference [Karnieli et al., 2021]. The integration of resonant phase-matching further strengthens electron-light coupling [Dahan et al., 2020].
Quantum electron microscopy has provided new insights into light-matter coherence regimes [Mechel et al., 2021], while ultrafast electron microscopy has enabled visualization of charge dynamics at the nanoscale, bridging classical and quantum radiation processes [Yannai et al., 2023]. These advances shape the next generation of quantum-engineered radiation platforms.
SO 1.2: Devising Novel Free-Electron Light Emission Processes
Free-electron interactions with van der Waals (vdW) materials have enabled tunable X-ray sources with spectral control through electron energy modulation and material structuring [Shentcis et al., 2020]. The scalability of vdW materials enhances imaging and photonic applications [Shi et al., 2023].
Beyond classical radiation mechanisms, quantum free-electron interactions have facilitated the generation of novel quantum light, including Schrödinger cat states, Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill (GKP) states, and entangled photon pairs [Hayun et al., 2021]. Free electrons also mediate photon entanglement, with implications for quantum computing and error correction [Baranes et al., 2022; Baranes et al., 2023].
SO 2.1: Observing Exotic Polaritons in 2D Materials and Their Heterostructures Using the Interacting Electron as a Probe
Free electrons have proven to be powerful probes of polaritonic excitations in 2D materials. Ultrafast transmission electron microscopy (UTEM) has visualized full-wave polariton dynamics, revealing acceleration, deceleration, and wave packet splitting [Kurman et al., 2021]. Observations of 2D Cherenkov radiation have introduced new regimes of free-electron-driven interactions, enabling tunable nanoscale photonics [Adiv et al., 2023].
Additionally, free-electron interactions with photonic cavities enhance coupling strength, fostering quantum photonic applications [Wang et al., 2020]. Optical vortices in van der Waals materials provide new methods for controlling structured light-matter interactions [Kurman et al., 2023].
SO 2.2: Accessing New Phases of Matter in Materials Supporting Polaritons or Affected by Them
Free-electron quantum sensing has uncovered hybrid light-matter states at the nanoscale, exposing new quantum phase transitions [Karnieli et al., 2023]. Ultrafast electron microscopy has captured laser-driven phase transitions, illustrating electronic and phononic system restructuring [Yannai et al., 2024].
Coherently shaped free electrons refine atomic-scale coherence probing, improving our understanding of extreme material transformations [Ruimy et al., 2021]. The ability to imprint quantum photonic statistics onto free electrons enhances quantum correlation studies in light-matter interactions [Dahan et al., 2021]. Advances in magnetic near-field quantum metrology provide deeper insight into spin interactions and quantum material coherence [Mechel et al., 2021].
These advancements affirm free electrons as essential tools for accessing and manipulating quantum material phases, driving the evolution of nanoscale characterization techniques.
Our research addresses the fundamental challenge of the intrinsically low cross-section in light-matter interactions, pushing the boundaries of conventional electron-photon energy conversion. By engineering electron wavefunctions and leveraging quantum coherence, we have demonstrated significant enhancements in interaction efficiency and photon emission control. This approach not only bypasses the traditional limitations but also opens new avenues for generating and manipulating quantum light states with unprecedented precision.
By the end of the project, we aim to achieve the following:
Development of Advanced Quantum Light Sources:
Establish tunable, compact X-ray sources using van der Waals (vdW) materials, offering precise control over emission spectra through modulation of electron energy and material structuring. This will enable high-resolution imaging and expand applications in advanced photonics [Shentcis et al., 2020].
Enhanced Quantum Sensing Capabilities:
Leverage free electrons as quantum sensors to probe strongly coupled light-matter systems at the nanoscale. This approach aims to uncover new quantum phase transitions and improve sensitivity in quantum-enhanced metrology [Karnieli et al., 2023].
Exploration of Novel Material Phases:
Utilize ultrafast electron microscopy to capture real-time dynamics of laser-driven phase transitions in topological and strongly correlated materials. This capability will advance our understanding of nonequilibrium quantum states and material transformations [Yannai et al., 2024].
Integrated Quantum Photonic Platforms:
Demonstrate free-electron-mediated photon entanglement and implement error-corrected quantum light sources. This will facilitate scalable platforms for quantum information processing and photonic quantum computing [Baranes et al., 2022].
By the end of the project, we aim to achieve the following:
Development of Advanced Quantum Light Sources:
Establish tunable, compact X-ray sources using van der Waals (vdW) materials, offering precise control over emission spectra through modulation of electron energy and material structuring. This will enable high-resolution imaging and expand applications in advanced photonics [Shentcis et al., 2020].
Enhanced Quantum Sensing Capabilities:
Leverage free electrons as quantum sensors to probe strongly coupled light-matter systems at the nanoscale. This approach aims to uncover new quantum phase transitions and improve sensitivity in quantum-enhanced metrology [Karnieli et al., 2023].
Exploration of Novel Material Phases:
Utilize ultrafast electron microscopy to capture real-time dynamics of laser-driven phase transitions in topological and strongly correlated materials. This capability will advance our understanding of nonequilibrium quantum states and material transformations [Yannai et al., 2024].
Integrated Quantum Photonic Platforms:
Demonstrate free-electron-mediated photon entanglement and implement error-corrected quantum light sources. This will facilitate scalable platforms for quantum information processing and photonic quantum computing [Baranes et al., 2022].