Experimental test of decoherence theory using electron matter waves

Authors

Peter J. Beierle, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Liyun Zhang, Xi'an Jiaotong University
Herman Batelaan, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

ORCID IDs

Peter J. Beierle

Herman Batelaan

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2018

Citation

New J. Phys. 20 (2018) 113030

Comments

© 2018 The Author(s).

Open access

https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/aaed4e

Abstract

Acontrolled decoherence environment is studied experimentally by free electron interaction with semiconducting and metallic plates. The results are compared with physical models based on decoherence theory to investigate the quantum-classical transition. The experiment is consistent with decoherence theory and rules out established Coulomb interaction models in favor of plasmonic excitation models. In contrast to previous decoherence experiments, the present experiment is sensitive to the onset of decoherence.