All-optical control and metrology of electron pulses.
Short electron pulses are central to time-resolved atomic-scale diffraction and electron microscopy, streak cameras, and free-electron lasers. We demonstrate phase-space control and characterization of 5-picometer electron pulses using few-cycle terahertz radiation, extending concepts of microwave electron pulse compression and streaking to terahertz frequencies. Optical-field control of electron pulses provides synchronism to laser pulses and offers a temporal resolution that is ultimately limited by the rise-time of the optical fields applied. We used few-cycle waveforms carried at 0.3 terahertz to compress electron pulses by a factor of 12 with a timing stability of <4 femtoseconds (root mean square) and measure them by means of field-induced beam deflection (streaking). Scaling the concept toward multiterahertz control fields holds promise for approaching the electronic time scale in time-resolved electron diffraction and microscopy.
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Am Coulombwall 1, 85748 Garching, Germany. Max-Planck-Institute of Quantum Optics, Hans-Kopfermann-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Germany.
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Kealhofer
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Am Coulombwall 1, 85748 Garching, Germany. Max-Planck-Institute of Quantum Optics, Hans-Kopfermann-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Germany.
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Schneider
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Am Coulombwall 1, 85748 Garching, Germany. Max-Planck-Institute of Quantum Optics, Hans-Kopfermann-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Germany.
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Ehberger
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Am Coulombwall 1, 85748 Garching, Germany. Max-Planck-Institute of Quantum Optics, Hans-Kopfermann-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Germany.
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Ryabov
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Am Coulombwall 1, 85748 Garching, Germany. Max-Planck-Institute of Quantum Optics, Hans-Kopfermann-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Germany. ferenc.krausz@lmu.de peter.baum@lmu.de.
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Krausz
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Am Coulombwall 1, 85748 Garching, Germany. Max-Planck-Institute of Quantum Optics, Hans-Kopfermann-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Germany. ferenc.krausz@lmu.de peter.baum@lmu.de.
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Baum