The quantum theory of a magnetic electron lens with rotational symmetry about its straight optic axis has recently been studied entirely on the basis of the Dirac equation [R. Jagannathan, R. Simon, E. C. G. Sudarshan, and N. Mukunda, Phys. Lett. A 134, 457 (1989)]. Following the same type of algebraic approach, the present paper elaborates on the quantum mechanics of beam transport through a general electron-lens system with a straight axis. The basic theory is developed in a general framework, and examples of applications are treated under the paraxial approximation and thin-lens assumption. Extension of the theory to systems with curved optic axes is dealt with very briefly. The present formalism based on a ‘‘beam-optical’’ representation of the Dirac equation goes over directly to the Hamiltonian formalism of geometrical electron optics upon classicalization.

• Received 21 June 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.42.6674