100x increase in electron-triggered light emission

A team led by ISN-affiliated MIT professor Marin Soljačić, ISN Director Prof. John Joannopoulos, and ISN principal research scientist Dr. Steven Kooi has developed an innovative method for strengthening interactions between photons and electrons, producing a 100-fold increase in light emission from Smith-Purcell radiation. The method is tunable to emit light at a wide range of wavelengths including those like terahertz, ultraviolet light, and X-rays that are otherwise challenging to generate efficiently. This advance could ultimately have broad commercial and research applications — from radiotherapy to quantum computing to some functions currently available only through gigantic facilities like the Large Hadron Collider.
A colorful pattern featuring a blue and pink triangle amidst a colorful background.

Researchers have found a way to create much stronger interactions between photons and electrons, in the process producing a hundredfold increase in the emission of light from a phenomenon called Smith-Purcell radiation. Image: Courtesy of the researchers