Microwave Guiding of Electrons on a Chip

Abstract

We demonstrate the transverse confinement and guiding of a low energy electron beam of several electron volts in a miniaturized linear quadrupole guide. The guiding potential is generated by applying a microwave voltage to electrodes fabricated on a planar substrate, which allows the potential landscape to be precisely shaped on a microscopic scale. We realize transverse trapping frequencies of 100 MHz and guide electrons along a circular section of 37 mm length. A detailed characterization of the guiding properties in terms of potential depth and dynamic stability is given. This new technique of electron guiding promises various applications in guided matter-wave experiments such as electron interferometry.