Four-path interference and uncertainty principle in photodetachment microscopy

Physik-Department T30, Technische Universität München James-Franck-Straße, 85747 Garching, Germany

Corresponding author: tkramer@ph.tum.de

Received: 5 June 2001
Accepted: 22 August 2001

Abstract

We study the quantal motion of electrons emitted by a pointlike monochromatic isotropic source into parallel uniform electric and magnetic fields. The two-path interference pattern in the emerging electron wave due to the electric force is modified by the magnetic lens effect which periodically focuses the beam into narrow filaments along the symmetry axis. There, four classical paths interfere. With increasing electron energy, the current distribution changes from a quantum regime governed by the uncertainty principle, to an intricate spatial pattern that yields to a semiclassical analysis.