Beyond Fermi's Golden Rule in Free-Electron Quantum Electrodynamics: Acceleration/Radiation Correspondence

Abstract: In this article, we present a unified reciprocal quantum electrodynamics (QED) formulation of quantum light-matter interaction. For electron-light interactions, we bridge the underlying theories of Photon-Induced Near-field Electron Microscopy (PINEM), Laser-induced Particle Accelerators and radiation sources, such as Free Electron Laser (FEL), transition radiation and Smith-Purcell effect. We demonstrate an electron-photon spectral reciprocity relation between the electron energy loss/gain and the radiation spectra. This "Acceleration/Radiation Correspondence" (ARC) conserves the electron-energy and photon-number exchanged and in the case of a Quantum Electron Wavepacket (QEW), displays explicit dependence on the history-dependent phase and shape of the QEW. It originates from an interaction-induced quantum interference term that is usually ignored in Fermi's Golden Rule analyses. We apply the general QED formulation to both stimulated interaction and spontaneous emission of classical and quantum light by the quantum-featured electrons. The 'spontaneous' emissions of coherent states ('classical' light) and squeezed states of light are shown to be enhanced with squeezed vacuum. This reciprocal ARC formulation has promise for extension to other fundamental research problems in quantum-light and quantum-matter interactions.