Approaching one nanosecond temporal resolution with square-wave-based control signals for interference gating

Interference gating (iGate) has emerged as a valuable and instrumentally easy-to-implement technique for time-resolved electron holography, allowing the study of dynamic processes on the nanosecond scale. Traditionally, iGate has relied on noise-based control signals, which, while effective, present challenges in achieving high repetition rates due to the complexity of signal generation and transmission. In this work, a square-wave-based control signal for iGate is introduced, offering a simpler and more robust alternative. Experimental validation indicates that this approach maintains comparable performance to the noise-based signal while enabling an order-of-magnitude improvement in temporal resolution, reaching $\text{1.9}\text{ns}$ with our current instrumentation. This advancement holds promise for improved time-resolved investigations of ultrafast nanoscale phenomena in TEM, providing a low barrier to entry.