Electron holography, a two-step imaging method taking advantage of light and electrons, has been employed for fundamental experiments in physics as well as for high-precision measurements in microscopy. It continues to be advanced in its applications though the speed of the development is not high but steady together with technical improvements of both the coherent electron beam and the reconstruction system. Progress has been made since the publication of the first edition of this book in 1993, and this second edi­ tion with new results integrated is herewith made available. I hope that the present monograph will help develop this interesting field of electron interference further. Hatoyama Akira Tonomura December 1998 v Preface to the First Edition Electron holography has recently paved a new way for observing and meas­ uring microscopic objects and fields that were previously inaccessible em­ ploying other techniques. Full use is made of the extremely short wave­ length of electrons, enabling electron holography to have a great impact on fields ranging from basic science to industrial applications. This book will provide an overview of the present state of electron holography for scien­ tists and engineers entering the field. The principles, techniques and appli­ cations which have already been developed, as well as those which are ex­ pected to arise in the near future, will be discussed.

Electron holography, a two-step imaging method taking advantage of light and electrons, has been employed for fundamental experiments in physics as well as for high-precision measurements in microscopy. It continues to be advanced in its applications though the speed of the development is not high but steady together with technical improvements of both the coherent electron beam and the reconstruction system. Progress has been made since the publication of the first edition of this book in 1993, and this second edi­ tion with new results integrated is herewith made available. I hope that the present monograph will help develop this interesting field of electron interference further. Hatoyama Akira Tonomura December 1998 v Preface to the First Edition Electron holography has recently paved a new way for observing and meas­ uring microscopic objects and fields that were previously inaccessible em­ ploying other techniques. Full use is made of the extremely short wave­ length of electrons, enabling electron holography to have a great impact on fields ranging from basic science to industrial applications. This book will provide an overview of the present state of electron holography for scien­ tists and engineers entering the field. The principles, techniques and appli­ cations which have already been developed, as well as those which are ex­ pected to arise in the near future, will be discussed.

Electron holography, a two-step imaging method taking advantage of light and electrons, has been employed for fundamental experiments in physics as well as for high-precision measurements in microscopy. It continues to be advanced in its applications though the speed of the development is not high but steady together with technical improvements of both the coherent electron beam and the reconstruction system. Progress has been made since the publication of the first edition of this book in 1993, and this second edi­ tion with new results integrated is herewith made available. I hope that the present monograph will help develop this interesting field of electron interference further. Hatoyama Akira Tonomura December 1998 v Preface to the First Edition Electron holography has recently paved a new way for observing and meas­ uring microscopic objects and fields that were previously inaccessible em­ ploying other techniques. Full use is made of the extremely short wave­ length of electrons, enabling electron holography to have a great impact on fields ranging from basic science to industrial applications. This book will provide an overview of the present state of electron holography for scien­ tists and engineers entering the field. The principles, techniques and appli­ cations which have already been developed, as well as those which are ex­ pected to arise in the near future, will be discussed.

30 years ago, the Aharonov-Bohm effect was predicted for the first time; since then, this quantum phenomenon which so grossly irritates a physical intuition trained in Maxwellian electrodynamics, has been discussed and studied both experimentally and theoretically. A thorough understanding of the Aharonov-Bohm effect has substantial bearing on the foundations and interpretation of quantum mechanics, on the understanding of gauge theories and on the role of topological methods in mathematical physics. In the meantime, decisive precision measurements have experimentally confirmed the predictions of Aharonov and Bohm. In Part One of this book M. Peshkin outlines the theoretical ideas that are actually tested in the experiments described by A. Tonomura in Part Two. Both authors give a complete and pedagogically well written description of the Aharonov-Bohm effect and its measurement. The book is accessible to everybody interested in quantum mechanics and its foundations, in particular to students. The presentation also reviews the historical developments in some detail.

The author is one of the foremost expert in his field and presents here a clear discussion and many illustrations of the newly developed technique of electron holography for observing and measuring microscopic structures of matter and fields. The text will be a valuable addition to the libraries of scientists and students who want to enhance their knowledge of high-resolution microscopy, fluxons in superconductors, magnetic domain structures, and the Aharanov-Bohm effect.

Electron holography, a two-step imaging method taking advantage of light and electrons, has been employed for fundamental experiments in physics as well as for high-precision measurements in microscopy. It continues to be advanced in its applications though the speed of the development is not high but steady together with technical improvements of both the coherent electron beam and the reconstruction system. Progress has been made since the publication of the first edition of this book in 1993, and this second edi­ tion with new results integrated is herewith made available. I hope that the present monograph will help develop this interesting field of electron interference further. Hatoyama Akira Tonomura December 1998 v Preface to the First Edition Electron holography has recently paved a new way for observing and meas­ uring microscopic objects and fields that were previously inaccessible em­ ploying other techniques. Full use is made of the extremely short wave­ length of electrons, enabling electron holography to have a great impact on fields ranging from basic science to industrial applications. This book will provide an overview of the present state of electron holography for scien­ tists and engineers entering the field. The principles, techniques and appli­ cations which have already been developed, as well as those which are ex­ pected to arise in the near future, will be discussed.

Electron holography, a two-step imaging method taking advantage of light and electrons, has been employed for fundamental experiments in physics as well as for high-precision measurements in microscopy. It continues to be advanced in its applications though the speed of the development is not high but steady together with technical improvements of both the coherent electron beam and the reconstruction system. Progress has been made since the publication of the first edition of this book in 1993, and this second edi­ tion with new results integrated is herewith made available. I hope that the present monograph will help develop this interesting field of electron interference further. Hatoyama Akira Tonomura December 1998 v Preface to the First Edition Electron holography has recently paved a new way for observing and meas­ uring microscopic objects and fields that were previously inaccessible em­ ploying other techniques. Full use is made of the extremely short wave­ length of electrons, enabling electron holography to have a great impact on fields ranging from basic science to industrial applications. This book will provide an overview of the present state of electron holography for scien­ tists and engineers entering the field. The principles, techniques and appli­ cations which have already been developed, as well as those which are ex­ pected to arise in the near future, will be discussed.

Electron holography, a two-step imaging method taking advantage of light and electrons, has been employed for fundamental experiments in physics as well as for high-precision measurements in microscopy. It continues to be advanced in its applications though the speed of the development is not high but steady together with technical improvements of both the coherent electron beam and the reconstruction system. Progress has been made since the publication of the first edition of this book in 1993, and this second edi­ tion with new results integrated is herewith made available. I hope that the present monograph will help develop this interesting field of electron interference further. Hatoyama Akira Tonomura December 1998 v Preface to the First Edition Electron holography has recently paved a new way for observing and meas­ uring microscopic objects and fields that were previously inaccessible em­ ploying other techniques. Full use is made of the extremely short wave­ length of electrons, enabling electron holography to have a great impact on fields ranging from basic science to industrial applications. This book will provide an overview of the present state of electron holography for scien­ tists and engineers entering the field. The principles, techniques and appli­ cations which have already been developed, as well as those which are ex­ pected to arise in the near future, will be discussed.

30 years ago, the Aharonov-Bohm effect was predicted for the first time; since then, this quantum phenomenon which so grossly irritates a physical intuition trained in Maxwellian electrodynamics, has been discussed and studied both experimentally and theoretically. A thorough understanding of the Aharonov-Bohm effect has substantial bearing on the foundations and interpretation of quantum mechanics, on the understanding of gauge theories and on the role of topological methods in mathematical physics. In the meantime, decisive precision measurements have experimentally confirmed the predictions of Aharonov and Bohm. In Part One of this book M. Peshkin outlines the theoretical ideas that are actually tested in the experiments described by A. Tonomura in Part Two. Both authors give a complete and pedagogically well written description of the Aharonov-Bohm effect and its measurement. The book is accessible to everybody interested in quantum mechanics and its foundations, in particular to students. The presentation also reviews the historical developments in some detail.

The author is one of the foremost expert in his field and presents here a clear discussion and many illustrations of the newly developed technique of electron holography for observing and measuring microscopic structures of matter and fields. The text will be a valuable addition to the libraries of scientists and students who want to enhance their knowledge of high-resolution microscopy, fluxons in superconductors, magnetic domain structures, and the Aharanov-Bohm effect.