Smith-Purcell Effect

The Smith-Purcell effect occurs when a beam of electrons moves close to a textured or patterned surface, like a diffraction grating. As the electrons pass near these structures, they interact with the surface’s periodic features, causing them to emit light or waves at specific wavelengths. This phenomenon can be used to generate electromagnetic radiation, including visible light or microwaves, by adjusting the electron speed and surface pattern. Essentially, it's a method of converting moving electrons into light through their interaction with structured surfaces, useful in developing new types of tunable radiation sources.