journal article·2023-07Open access

Bulk‐Plasmon‐Mediated Free‐Electron Radiation Beyond the Conventional Formation Time

Fuyang Tay, Xiao Lin, Xihang Shi, Hongsheng Chen, Ido Kaminer, Baile Zhang

Advanced Science· Volume 10· Issue 20

Abstract

Abstract Free‐electron radiation is a fundamental photon emission process that is induced by fast‐moving electrons interacting with optical media. Historically, it has been understood that, just like any other photon emission process, free‐electron radiation must be constrained within a finite time interval known as the “formation time,” whose concept is applicable to both Cherenkov radiation and transition radiation, the two basic mechanisms describing radiation from a bulk medium and from an interface, respectively. Here, this work reveals an alternative mechanism of free‐electron radiation far beyond the previously defined formation time. It occurs when a fast electron crosses the interface between vacuum and a plasmonic medium supporting bulk plasmons. While emitted continuously from the crossing point on the interface—thus consistent with the features of transition radiation—the extra radiation beyond the conventional formation time is supported by a long tail of bulk plasmons following the electron's trajectory deep into the plasmonic medium. Such a plasmonic tail mixes surface and bulk effects, and provides a sustained channel for electron–interface interaction. These results also settle the historical debate in Ferrell radiation, regarding whether it is a surface or bulk effect, from transition radiation or plasmonic oscillation.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Crystallography and Radiation Phenomena · Advanced Electron Microscopy Techniques and Applications · Gyrotron and Vacuum Electronics Research

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Rice University Houston TX 77005 USA

Applied Physics Graduate Program Smalley–Curl Institute Rice University Houston TX 77005 USA

Interdisciplinary Center for Quantum Information State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation ZJU‐Hangzhou Global Science and Technology Innovation Center College of Information Science and Electronic Engineering Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310027 China

International Joint Innovation Center the Electromagnetics Academy at Zhejiang University Zhejiang University Haining 314400 China

Department of Electrical Engineering Technion‐Israel Institute of Technology Haifa 32000 Israel

Jinhua Institute of Zhejiang University Zhejiang University Jinhua 321099 China

Division of Physics and Applied Physics School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Nanyang Technological University Singapore 637371 Singapore

Centre for Disruptive Photonic Technologies Nanyang Technological University Singapore 637371 Singapore

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities · Ministry of Education - Singapore · National Research Foundation Singapore

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