Monoelectron Oscillator

Abstract

A single electron has been isolated in a ∼ 6-V-deep Penning trap. Using synchronous detection its forced axial oscillation at 55.7 MHz has been observed continuously. Excitation was either sideband at 54.7 MHz or parametric at 111.4 MHz, the latter making collision-induced 180° phase jumps visible. The monoelectron oscillator is profitably looked upon as a fixed-in-space pseudoatom, free of first- and second-order Doppler shifts.