Three-wave electron vortex lattices for measuring nanofields

It is demonstrated how an electron-optical arrangement consisting of two electron biprisms can be used to generate three-wave vortex lattices with effective lattice spacings between 0.1 and 1nm. The presence of vortices in these lattices was verified by using a third biprism to perform direct phase measurements via off-axis electron holography. The use of three-wave lattices for nanoscale electromagnetic field measurements via vortex interferometry is discussed, including the accuracy of vortex position measurements and the interpretation of three-wave vortex lattices in the presence of partial spatial coherence. •We demonstrate how three-wave electron vortex lattices can be generated using two electron biprisms in the TEM.•The optical setup can be used to measure nanoscale electromagnetic fields via vortex interferometry.•The presence of vortices is verified explicitly by using a third biprism to perform phase measurements.•The accuracy of vortex position measurements and the requirements of spatial coherence are discussed.