Ultrafast sub-nanometer matter-wave temporal Talbot effect

Abstract The coherent manipulation of the electron wavefunction at atomic spatial and temporal scales is fundamental breakthrough underlying far-reaching ultrafast phenomena as high-order harmonic radiation attosecond pulse generation. In this work, we present a next step in control matter waves by translating concept Talbot interferometry to subnanomenter–femtosecond realm. We study high-harmonic emission from periodic system irradiated an intense mid-infrared laser beam grazing incidence. Our calculations show that Bloch electrons, once ionized, follow sequence (femtosecond) revivals associated with effect. demonstrate these leave distinct signature high-frequency spectrum, form structures extending beyond main spectral cutoff, toward x-rays. reinterpretation process generation realization Talbot–Lau interferometer suggests spectroscopy appropriate scheme develop subnanometer interferometry.