Observation of transition radiation carrying orbital angular momentum

Abstract

Twisted photons carrying orbital angular momentum, which have potential applications spanning diverse fields, have been extensively studied since the theoretical work of Allen \textit{et al}. in 1992. Various methods for direct producing twisted photons have been explored, leveraging the rotational (spiral) motion of relativistic electrons in phenomena such as undulator radiation. In the present study, transition radiation carrying orbital angular momentum is observed for the first time. This radiation was generated by 220 MeV electrons incident on an Au-coated Si wafer. The orbital angular momentum was measured by analyzing the diffraction patterns produced as the radiation passed through a triangular aperture and a double slit. These results demonstrate that twisted photons can also be generated through the interaction of rectilinearly moving electrons with a solid target.