Experimental Test of Decoherence Theory using Electron Matter Waves*

A controlled decoherence environment is studied experimentally by free electron interaction as it travels over a [semi]conducting 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 experimental setup may be sensitive to the onset of decoherence[1].
Here we present these findings and progress towards monitoring the environment using space-time resolved optical methods [2], with the aim to study if we can also measure the loss of coherence of the environment induced by the free electron. This first of its kind integrated approach may both further solidify previous claims that such matter-wave experiments are measuring the quantum-classical transition.
[1] P Beierle, L Zhang, H. Batelaan, submitted to NJP (2018) preprint: https://arxiv.org/abs/1711.10977
[2] Langbein, Wolfgang Werner 2010. Coherent optical spectroscopy of semiconductor nanostructures. La Rivista del Nuovo cimento 33 (5), pp. 255-312.