Attosecond Double-Slit Experiment

2005/03/22 by F. Lindner, M. G. Schaetzel, M. G. Schätzel +11 · 4 citations
Chemistry · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Fiber Laser Technologies #Laser-Matter Interactions and Applications #Mass Spectrometry Techniques and Applications #quant-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.95.040401

4 figures

arxiv created 2005/03/22 · openalex publication_date 2005/07/19 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

A new scheme for a double-slit experiment in the time domain is presented. Phase-stabilized few-cycle laser pulses open one to two windows (slits) of attosecond duration for photoionization. Fringes in the angle-resolved energy spectrum of varying visibility depending on the degree of which-way information are measured. A situation in which one and the same electron encounters a single and a double slit at the same time is observed. The investigation of the fringes makes possible interferometry on the attosecond time scale. From the number of visible fringes, for example, one derives that the slits are extended over about 500 as.

Cited by

• Cross-process interference in single-cycle electron emission from metal needle tips
• Demonstration of a photonic time-frequency Fourier transform and temporal double slit using atomic quantum memory
• Subcycle phase matching effects in short attosecond pulse trains
• Spontaneous decoherence as a result of randomness in the flow of time

Related

• A Dynamic 'Double Slit' Experiment in a Single Atom
• Controlling electron motion with attosecond precision by shaped femtosecond intense laser pulse
• A high-repetition rate attosecond light source for time-resolved coincidencespectroscopy
• Directional loss of contrast by dephasing in temporal double-slit interferometry
• Attosecond Science: Recent Highlights and Future Trends