Abstract

Experimental study of the Purcell effect shows that the radiance and character of the light generated by free electrons interacting with a metallic diffraction grating are not compatible with a simple electrostatic-image theory. A variety of experiments indicates other possibilities for theoretical explanation and shows how new experiments are expected to determine a more compatible theory of operation. Although light has been produced throughout the wavelength range from 4 to 0.2 μm, quantum effects appear to be unnecessary in describing the results. Rather, an extension of high-frequency electron-tube theory into multiwavelength three-dimensional optics is indicated.

© 1970 Optical Society of America

Vacuum-Ultraviolet Atomic-Beam Light Source*

Glenn A. Govertsen and D. K. Anderson
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 60(5) 600-603 (1970)

Hydrocarbon Flames as Reference uv Light Sources

Ulrich Bonne and Richard E. Berg
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 60(10) 1285-1289 (1970)

Diffraction of Light from a Filamentary Source by Parallel Acoustic Wave Fronts*

B. Singer and T. Tamir-Berman
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 60(12) 1640-1653 (1970)

OTHER ASPECTS OF OPTICS Optics and Electron Optics as Competitive and Complementary Technologies in Electronics

E. G. Ramberg
Appl. Opt. 9(10) 2294-2298 (1970)

Near-Field Backscattering Measurements from a Microscopic Water Droplet

M. J. Saunders
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 60(10) 1359-1365 (1970)