Double-slit time diffraction at optical frequencies

Double-slit experiments—where a wave is transmitted through thin double aperture in space—have confirmed the wave–particle duality of quantum objects, such as single photons, electrons, neutrons, atoms and large molecules. Yet, temporal counterpart Young’s double-slit experiment—a interacting with modulation an interface—remains elusive. Here we report time-domain version classic experiment: beam light twice gated time produces interference frequency spectrum. The ‘time slits’, narrow enough to produce diffraction at optical frequencies, are generated from excitation film indium tin oxide near its epsilon-near-zero point. separation between slits determines period oscillations spectrum, whereas decay fringe visibility reveals shape slits. Surprisingly, many more visible than expected existing theory, implying rise that approaches cycle. This result enables further exploration time-varying physics, towards spectral synthesis waves applications signal processing neuromorphic computation. A experiment shows characteristic domain when interacts produced by ultrafast changes refractive index material.