Quantum coherent control of free electron wavefunction using ponderomotive potential of optical travelling waves

Abstract

Inelastic interactions between free electrons and photons have been studied extensively during the last few years. In this contribution, we describe theoretically the interaction of electrons with ponderomotive potential of optical travelling waves formed by two light waves at different frequencies in vacuum. Our current effort follows up previous experiments performed in the classical regime of the interaction, which showed the electron spectrum broadening and attosecond electron pulses generation as a result of the interaction [1], [2]. We describe how these experiments can be modified to allow quantum coherent optical modulation of the phase of electron wavefunction.

[1] Kozák, M. et al. Nat. Phys. 14, 121-125 (2018)

[2] Kozák, M. et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 103203 (2018)