Electrons in action can be tracked easily with time-resolved vortex – Interesting Engineering

When electrons move in a spiral motion, it becomes much easier to study their behavior in real time.19 hours ago20 hours ago2 days ago2 days ago2 days ago2 days ago2 days ago2 days ago3 days ago3 days ago29 minutes agoan hour ago13 hours ago15 hours ago15 hours ago15 hours ago19 hours ago19 hours ago20 hours ago20 hours agoRupendra BrahambhattIllustration of an atom with fast moving electrons.ismagilov/iStockNo chemical reaction or energy transfer process can take place without electrons, as they are responsible for forming and breaking chemical bonds. Therefore, to control and manipulate chemical reactions, develop new materials, or modify the properties of existing substances, it is important to study electron behavior. However, one of the biggest difficulties in studying electron motion is that their movements happen incredibly fast, making them extremely hard to track. For instance, an electron within a molecule can change positions in attoseconds (i.e., 10-18 seconds). But studying such fast-moving particles with precision is difficult. There are techniques such as electron diffraction and laser spectroscopy, but these conventional methods either suffer from poor resolution or require complex and costly experimental setups.Researchers at the University of California San Diego (UC San Diego) have an interesting solution to this problem. In their new study, they reveal a new technique to observe fast-moving electrons moving inside molecules with incredible precision.Electrons don’t always move randomly; they can show synchronized wave-like motion in a process called transient electronic coherence. This short-lived electron behavior is observed when electrons are excited by an energy source such as an electric field or light.To understand this phenomenon in detail, the UC San Diego team developed a technique called time-resolved vortex electron diffraction. Unlike conventional methods that involve using ordinary electron beams, this approach uses vortex electrons—special electrons that spin as they travel, similar to how a tornado spirals. This spiral motion allows scientists to detect even tiny changes in electron behavior.“The key idea behind this approach is the use of a specialized electron beam that spirals as it travels, enabling precise tracking of electron motion in both space and time,” the researchers note. As the electrons move, scientists can take multiple snapshots (detect signals) of the vortex electron movement at different moments in time. Then, by analyzing these diffraction patterns, they can reconstruct how electrons behave inside molecules over time.This approach also removes background noise from general electron activity, allowing scientists to focus only on the synchronized motion of electrons (transient electronic coherence). As a result, scientists can directly observe how electron movements change over time and how they lose synchronization (decoherence).“This technique’s exceptional sensitivity to electronic coherences unlocks new possibilities for visualizing ultrafast quantum phenomena in molecules, bringing us closer to the ultimate goal of controlling chemical reactions at the most fundamental level,” Haiwang Yong, study co-author and a professor at UC San Diego, said.The study is published in the journal Physical Review Letters.Rupendra Brahambhatt Rupendra Brahambhatt is an experienced writer, researcher, journalist, and filmmaker. With a B.Sc (Hons.) in Science and PGJMC in Mass Communications, he has been actively working with some of the most innovative brands, news agencies, digital magazines, documentary filmmakers, and nonprofits from different parts of the globe. As an author, he works with a vision to bring forward the right information and encourage a constructive mindset among the masses.Stay up-to-date on engineering, tech, space, and science news with The Blueprint.By clicking sign up, you confirm that you accept this site’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policya day ago2 days ago2 days ago2 days agoPremiumIE PROFollow

Source: https://interestingengineering.com/science/track-fast-moving-electrons