In a groundbreaking development, physicists at the University of Arizona Tucson have introduced a revolutionary imaging technique called “attomicroscopy,” which enables the observation of electron behavior in real time at attosecond speeds a quintillionth of a second. This breakthrough allows scientists to capture the rapid movements of electrons, which has been a significant challenge due to their incredible speed.
Led by researchers Dandan Hui and Husain Alqattan, the team has enhanced traditional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) by improving the temporal resolution to the attosecond scale. TEM, a widely-used method for imaging tiny structures, typically relies on electron beams guided by laser pulses. However, the previous limitations in laser speed meant that the swift motion of electrons could not be fully captured.
The innovative approach involves splitting the laser pulse into three components: a “pump pulse” to energize the graphene sample, a “gate pulse” to create an observational window, and an “attosecond electron pulse” to record the electron dynamics. This advancement allows for an unprecedentedly detailed map of electron behavior, opening up new possibilities in quantum physics and material science.
“This transmission electron microscope is like a very powerful camera in the latest version of smartphones; it allows us to take pictures of things we were not able to see before—like electrons,” said Mohammed Hassan, a physicist at the University of Arizona Tucson. “With this microscope, we hope the scientific community can understand the quantum physics behind how an electron behaves and how an electron moves.”
The attomicroscopy technique marks a significant leap forward in subatomic imaging, providing scientists with a powerful new tool to explore the fundamental behaviors of electrons, which could lead to major advancements in various scientific fields.
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