Continuous-variable quantum state tomography of photoelectrons

We propose a continuous variable quantum state tomography protocol of electrons which result from the ion-ization of atoms or molecules by the absorption of extreme ultraviolet light pulses. Our protocol is benchmarked against a direct calculation of the quantum state of photoelectrons ejected from helium and argon in the vicinity of a Fano resonance. In the latter case, we furthermore distill ion-photoelectron entanglement due to spin-orbit splitting. This opens routes toward the investigation of quantum coherence and entanglement properties on the ultrafast timescale.

Automated summary

We propose a protocol for continuous variable quantum state tomography of electrons resulting from the ionization of atoms or molecules by absorbing extreme ultraviolet light pulses. The protocol is validated through direct calculations of the quantum state of photoelectrons ejected from helium and argon near a Fano resonance. Additionally, ion-photoelectron entanglement due to spin-orbit splitting is distilled, enabling the investigation of quantum coherence and entanglement properties on ultrafast timescales.