MIT
Quantum Nanostructures and
Nanofabrication Group

Prof. Karl K. Berggren and Dr. P. Donald Keathley

New Publication “Design and Simulation of a Linear Electron Cavity for Quantum Electron Microscopy”

Quantum electron microscopy (QEM) is a measurement approach that could reduce sample radiation damage, which represents the main obstacle to sub-nanometer direct imaging of molecules in conventional electron microscopes. This method is based on the exploitation of interaction-free measurements in an electron resonator. In this work, we present the design of a linear resonant electron cavity, which is at the core of QEM. We assess its stability and optical properties during resonance using ray-tracing electron optical simulations. Moreover, we analyze the issue of spherical aberrations inside the cavity and we propose and verify through simulation two possible approaches to the problem. Finally, we discuss some of the important design parameters and constraints, such as conservation of temporal coherence and effect of alignment fields.

A complete description of the work may be found here.