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'half-electron (e/2)' -- free electron fractional charge induced by twisted light
- Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Recent advances in ultrafast electron emission, microscopy, and diffraction reveal our capacity to manipulate free electrons with remarkable quantum coherence using light beams. Here, we present a framework for exploring free electron fractional charge in ultrafast electron-light interactions. An explicit Jackiw-Rebbi solution of free electron is constructed by a spatiotemporally twisted laser field, showcasing a flying topological quantum number with a fractional charge of e/2 (we call it "half-electron"), which is dispersion-free due to its topological nature. We also propose an Aharonov-Bohm interferometry for detecting these half-electrons. The half-electron is a topologically protected bound state in free-space propagation, expands its realm beyond quasiparticles with fractional charges in materials, enabling to advance our understanding of exotic quantum and topological effects of free electron wavefunction.<br />Comment: 23 pages, 4 figures, supplementary material
Details
- Database :
- arXiv
- Publication Type :
- Report
- Accession number :
- edsarx.2401.00723
- Document Type :
- Working Paper