Physicists have unveiled the world’s fastest microscope, capable of capturing electrons in flight. This cutting-edge device is a sophisticated update to traditional transmission electron microscopes.
The microscope operates with pulses lasting just one attosecond, or one quintillionth of a second. This incredible speed allows scientists to observe the rapid movement of electrons, which travel at about 1367 miles per second (2,200 kilometres per second).
Named “attomicroscopy,” this technology promises to unlock new insights into electron behaviour. The recent advancements are detailed in a study published on August 21 in Science Advances.
The lead researcher, Mohammed Hassan, likened this microscope to a high-tech camera. “It enables us to visualise phenomena we couldn’t see before, including the dynamic behaviour of electrons,” said Hassan, an associate professor at the University of Arizona.
Understanding how electrons move and interact at such minute scales is crucial in both physics and chemistry. Historically, the swift movement of electrons has posed a significant challenge to researchers.
Earlier breakthroughs in generating attosecond pulses have revolutionised our understanding of electrons. The new microscope takes this to the next level, providing unprecedented clarity.
By using these pulses, scientists can observe the electron beam’s changes as it interacts with materials. This technique also involves synchronising light pulses to help visualise electron movements.
This leap in microscopy technology opens new doors for exploring the fundamental aspects of electron behaviour and its implications in various scientific fields.
