Senior Theses
Publication Date
5-24-2017
Document Type
Thesis (Open Access)
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Physics
Department
Physics
Faculty Advisor(s)
Joelle Murray (Thesis Advisor) Michael Crosser & William Mackie (Committee Members)
Subject Categories
Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics | Elementary Particles and Fields and String Theory | Materials Science and Engineering | Physics | Plasma and Beam Physics
Abstract
It is possible to produce electron beams with non-zero orbital angular momentum. Such beams, known as electron vortex beams, are theoretically able to transfer their orbital angular momenta to matter, causing the matter to rotate. Nanoparticles in an aqueous solution were observed with an electron vortex beam to detect the transfer of orbital angular momentum in a low-friction environment. Observing the transfer of orbital angular momentum to particles in solution is difficult due to the necessity of imaging the particles through a liquid and the random movement of particles in the solution. Thus, orbital angular momentum transfer to matter could not conclusively be observed in this environment. Initial data, observations, and a discussion of ways to eliminate particle movement, increase image quality, and reduce uncertainty of particle movement while observing orbital angular momentum transfer are discussed. Research was conducted in the Material Science Institute at the University of Oregon under the advisement of B. McMorran.
Recommended Citation
DeVyldere, Hannah, "Observing Orbital Angular Momentum Transfer from Electron Vortex Beams to Matter" (2017). Senior Theses. 29.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/physstud_theses/29
Included in
Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Commons, Elementary Particles and Fields and String Theory Commons, Materials Science and Engineering Commons, Plasma and Beam Physics Commons
