Production of orbital angular momentum states of optical vortex beams using a vortex half-wave retarder with double-pass configuration.

Higher orders of orbital angular momentum states (OAMs) of light have been produced with a double-pass configuration through a zero-order vortex half-wave retarder (VHWR). This double-pass technique can reduce the number of VHWR plates used, thus reducing costs. The OAM states of the vortex beams are identified by the near-field Talbot effect.

High-precision grating period measurement.

We introduce a method for measuring a periodic structure, particularly a grating period. The method is based on the high-precision laser Talbot effect. The combination of a rubidium-locked external cavity diode laser and the Talbot interferometer provides an excellent and simple tool for this purpose.

High-contrast optical vortex detection using the Talbot effect.

We apply the near-field Talbot effect to distinguish, characterize, and detect optical vortices. We perform experiments with single-, double-, multiple-slit, and grating diffraction. High-contrast image detection is achieved with the Talbot effect of a grating, even for higher than l=±1 orbital angular momentum states.

Realization of the single photon Talbot effect with a spatial light modulator.

We demonstrate the quantum Talbot effect using a beam of single photons produced by parametric down conversion. In contrast to the previous works, we use a programmable spatial light modulator to behave as a diffraction grating. Thus, the investigation of the Talbot diffraction patterns under the variation of grating structure can be easily performed.

Wave and particle in molecular interference lithography.

The wave-particle duality of massive objects is a cornerstone of quantum physics and a key property of many modern tools such as electron microscopy, neutron diffraction or atom interferometry. Here we report on the first experimental demonstration of quantum interference lithography with complex molecules. Molecular matter-wave interference patterns are deposited onto a reconstructed Si(111) 7x7 surface and imaged using scanning tunneling microscopy.

Realization of optical carpets in the Talbot and Talbot-Lau configurations.

Talbot and Talbot-Lau effects are frequently used in lensless imaging applications with light, ultrasound, x-rays, atoms and molecules--generally in situations where refractive optical elements are non-existent or not suitable. We here show an experimental visualization of the intriguing wave patterns that are associated with near-field interferometry behind a single periodic diffraction grating under plane wave illumination and which are often referred to as Talbot carpets or quantum carpets. We also show the patterns behind two separated diffraction gratings under nearly-monochromatic but spatially incoherent illumination that illustrate the nature of Talbot-Lau carpets.

Gas phase sorting of fullerenes, polypeptides and carbon nanotubes.

We discuss the Stark deflectometry of micro-modulated molecular beams for the enrichment of biomolecular isomers as well as single-wall carbon nanotubes, and we demonstrate the working principle of this idea with fullerenes. The sorting is based on the species-dependent susceptibility-to-mass ratio χ/m. The device is compatible with a high molecular throughput, and the spatial micro-modulation of the beam permits one to obtain a fine spatial resolution and a high sorting sensitivity.

Thermal and electrical properties of porphyrin derivatives and their relevance for molecule interferometry.

The authors present new measurements of thermal and electrical properties for two porphyrin derivatives. They determine their sublimation enthalpy from the temperature dependence of the effusive beam intensity. The authors study H2TPP and Fe(TPP)Cl in matter-wave interferometry.