Quantum-degenerate electron source: a proposal

We propose a pulsed electron source capable of a 6Dbrightness orders-of-magnitude greater than that of existing sources. Itcould deliver average current up to 0.5 pA and achieve an emittanceapproaching the quantum limit of one Compton wavelength in each spatialdimension. It could be employed to advantage in electron microscopy,inverse photo-emission, precision low-energy scattering experiments, andelectron holography. This source could make possible pump-probeexperiments with Angstrom spatial and sub-picosecond time resolution.Here we describe basic concepts of the source, including analysis of mainissues that must be addressed for its successful construction andoperation. We have begun an experiment to demonstrate its essentialfeatures.