Influence of phase modulation on Talbot effect

We numerically investigate the Talbot effect and the effects of various phase modulations on it in the quantum regime. Our results show that single slit modulation, periodical modulation and scattering through a non-uniform quantum well lead to different effects on the Talbot images. The Bohmian trajectory method is applied to reveal the underlying quantum interference process, and provides a new understanding of diffraction different from the classical optic interpretation. We also propose phase modulation as an alternative way to manipulate electron wave.