Novel vortex generator and mode converter for electron beams

Phys Rev Lett. 2012 Aug 24;109(8):084801. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.084801. Epub 2012 Aug 22.

Abstract

A mode converter for electron vortex beams is described. Numerical simulations, confirmed by experiment, show that the converter transforms a vortex beam with a topological charge m=±1 into beams closely resembling Hermite-Gaussian HG(10) and HG(01) modes. The converter can be used as a mode discriminator or filter for electron vortex beams. Combining the converter with a phase plate turns a plane wave into modes with topological charge m=±1. This combination serves as a generator of electron vortex beams of high brilliance.