The Young-Feynman two-slits experiment with single electrons: Build-up of the interference pattern and arrival-time distribution using a fast-readout pixel detector

• Published in: Ultramicroscopy Vol. 116; pp. 73 - 76
• Main Authors: Frabboni, Stefano, Gabrielli, Alessandro, Carlo Gazzadi, Gian, Giorgi, Filippo, Matteucci, Giorgio, Pozzi, Giulio, Cesari, Nicola Semprini, Villa, Mauro, Zoccoli, Antonio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-05-2012
• Subjects: Accumulation; CMOS; Coherence in electron scattering; Detectors; Foundations of quantum mechanics; Interference; Matter waves; Measurement theory; Microelectronics; Nanostructure; Samples; Single electrons; Statistical analysis; Statistical methods; Statistics; Matter waves; Foundations of quantum mechanics; Microelectronics; Coherence in electron scattering; Measurement theory
• ISSN: 0304-3991; 1879-2723
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2012.03.017

The two-slits experiment for single electrons has been carried out by inserting in a conventional transmission electron microscope a thick sample with two nano-slits fabricated by Focused Ion Beam technique and a fast recording system able to measure the electron arrival-time. The detector, designed for experiments in future colliders, is based on a custom CMOS chip equipped with a fast readout chain able to manage up to 106 frames per second. In this way, high statistic samples of single electron events can be collected within a time interval short enough to measure the distribution of the electron arrival-times and to observe the build-up of the interference pattern.
► We present the first results obtained regarding the two-slits Young-Feynman experiment with single electrons. ► We use two nano-slits fabricated by Focused Ion Beam technique. ► We insert in the transmission electron microscope a detector, designed for experiments in future colliders. ► We record the build-up of high statistic single electron interference patterns. ► We measure the time distribution of electron arrivals.