title: Direct imaging of tunneling from a potential well.
abstract: We experimentally map the wavefunction in the vicinity of a radial potential well. We photograph light intensity near the tunneling region as well as measure the spiraling phase structure via interference with a reference wave. This spiraling phase structure is required for conservation of angular momentum. The experimental image reveals the non-intuitive emission of light from a region in space that is empty of material and relatively far from the device.
authors.affiliation: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA. tomesmat@umich.edu
authors.forename: Mathew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomes
authors.forename: Kerry J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Vahala
authors.forename: Tal
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Carmon