From measuring electron charge to exploring particle-wave duality: A new didactic experimental approach

Abstract : This paper points out the strong didactic potential of an experiment originally intended for electron source research. Using a dual stage micro-channel plate in a low-energy electron point projection microscope, electrons are spatially detected one by one. Field electron emission affords wide-ranging intensity enabling the electron charge to be determined by comparing counting and analog measurements. The same setup is used to illustrate buildup of an interference pattern from separate low-energy electron detection, thereby enabling the Planck constant to be determined. Both granular and continuous signals are directly observable in this educational approach.