Active steering of cathodoluminescence through a generalized Smith-Purcell effect

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Dias, Eduardo J. C., Echarri, Álvaro Rodríguez, Rasmussen, Theis P., de Abajo, F. Javier García, Cox, Joel D.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Dias, Eduardo J. C.
Echarri, Álvaro Rodríguez
Rasmussen, Theis P.
de Abajo, F. Javier García
Cox, Joel D.
author_facet Dias, Eduardo J. C.
Echarri, Álvaro Rodríguez
Rasmussen, Theis P.
de Abajo, F. Javier García
Cox, Joel D.
contents Optical metasurfaces can shape the near fields of energetic electrons, enabling Smith-Purcell (SP) emission. We introduce a generalized SP effect relying on finite periodic arrays whose elements possess individually tunable polarizabilities, allowing us to explore higher-order SP radiation. By controlling the amplitude and phase of each of the elements, we show through rigorous theory the ability to create an SP steering device. In particular, we explore the active tuning capabilities of doped graphene, and thermally driven phase-change materials, which we compare with standard passive plasmonic structures made of gold and silver. Our results establish programmable electron-driven light sources and spectroscopic probes spanning the terahertz-to-visible range, advancing tunable metasurfaces for next-generation electron-photon technologies.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2512_11422
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Active steering of cathodoluminescence through a generalized Smith-Purcell effect
Dias, Eduardo J. C.
Echarri, Álvaro Rodríguez
Rasmussen, Theis P.
de Abajo, F. Javier García
Cox, Joel D.
Optics
Optical metasurfaces can shape the near fields of energetic electrons, enabling Smith-Purcell (SP) emission. We introduce a generalized SP effect relying on finite periodic arrays whose elements possess individually tunable polarizabilities, allowing us to explore higher-order SP radiation. By controlling the amplitude and phase of each of the elements, we show through rigorous theory the ability to create an SP steering device. In particular, we explore the active tuning capabilities of doped graphene, and thermally driven phase-change materials, which we compare with standard passive plasmonic structures made of gold and silver. Our results establish programmable electron-driven light sources and spectroscopic probes spanning the terahertz-to-visible range, advancing tunable metasurfaces for next-generation electron-photon technologies.
title Active steering of cathodoluminescence through a generalized Smith-Purcell effect
topic Optics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.11422