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Since the birth of quantum optics, the measurement of quantum states ofnonclassical light has been of tremendous importance for advancement in thefield. To date, conventional detectors such as photomultipliers, avalanchephotodiodes, and superconducting nanowires, all rely at their core on linearexcitation of bound electrons with light, posing fundamental restrictions onthe detection. In contrast, the interaction of free electrons with light in thecontext of quantum optics is highly nonlinear and offers excitingpossibilities. The first experiments that promoted this direction appeared overthe past decade as part of photon-induced nearfield electron microscopy(PINEM), wherein free electrons are capable of high-order multi-photonabsorption and emission. Here we propose using free electrons forquantum-optical detection of the complete quantum state of light. We show howthe precise control of the electron before and after its interaction withquantum light enables to extract the photon statistics and implement fullquantum state tomography using PINEM. This technique can reach sub-attosecondtime resolutions, measure temporal coherence of any degree (e.g., g(1), g(2)),and simultaneously detect large numbers of photons with each electron.Importantly, the interaction of the electron with light is non-destructive,thereby leaving the photonic state (modified by the interaction) intact, whichis conceptually different from conventional detectors. By using a pulse ofmultiple electrons, we envision how PINEM quantum detectors could achieve asingle-shot measurement of the complete state of quantum light, even fornon-reproducible emission events. Altogether, our work paves the way to novelkinds of photodetectors that utilize the ultrafast duration, high nonlinearity,and non-destructive nature of electron-light interactions.

Ultrafast non-destructive measurement of the quantum state of light using free electrons