‘Twisted’ electrons

Larocque H, Kaminer I, Grillo V, Leuchs G, Padgett MJ, Boyd RW, Segev M, Karimi E (2018)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2018

Journal

Contemporary Physics Taylor & Francis

Book Volume: 59

Pages Range: 126-144

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.1080/00107514.2017.1418046

Abstract

Electrons have played a significant role in the development of many fields of physics during the last century. The interest surrounding them mostly involved their wave-like features prescribed by the quantum theory. In particular, these features correctly predict the behaviour of electrons in various physical systems including atoms, molecules, solid-state materials, and even in free space. Ten years ago, new breakthroughs were made, arising from the new ability to bestow orbital angular momentum (OAM) to the wave function of electrons. This quantity, in conjunction with the electron’s charge, results in an additional magnetic property. Owing to these features, OAM-carrying, or twisted, electrons can effectively interact with magnetic fields in unprecedented ways and have motivated materials scientists to find new methods for generating twisted electrons and measuring their OAM content. Here, we provide an overview of such techniques along with an introduction to the exciting dynamics of twisted electrons.

Authors with CRIS profile

Gerhard Leuchs

Involved external institutions

University of Ottawa CA Canada (CA) Technion - Israel Institute of Technology IL Israel (IL) Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) / National Research Council of Italy IT Italy (IT) University of Glasgow GB United Kingdom (GB)

How to cite

APA:

Larocque, H., Kaminer, I., Grillo, V., Leuchs, G., Padgett, M.J., Boyd, R.W.,... Karimi, E. (2018). ‘Twisted’ electrons. Contemporary Physics, 59(2), 126-144. https://doi.org/10.1080/00107514.2017.1418046

MLA:

Larocque, Hugo, et al. "‘Twisted’ electrons." Contemporary Physics 59.2 (2018): 126-144.

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