Researchers have developed a groundbreaking microscope that captures the movement of electrons at a speed never before achieved. Dubbed the “attomicroscope,” this new device uses a laser and an electron beam to photograph electrons at a staggering rate of 625 attoseconds—billionths of a billionth of a second. This advancement, led by physicist Mohammed Hassan and his team at the University of Arizona, represents a significant leap forward in the ability to observe and understand molecular behaviour with remarkable precision.

Precision Imaging at the Atomic Level

The attomicroscope is an enhancement of the traditional transmission electron microscope, which employs electron beams to image objects as small as a few nanometers, as per the research paper. Unlike conventional light-based microscopes, which are constrained by the wavelength of light, electron beams offer much higher resolution. This allows scientists to observe incredibly minute structures, such as individual atoms or clusters of electrons, with unprecedented clarity.

To achieve this unprecedented level of detail, the researchers used a laser to chop the electron beam into ultrashort pulses. These pulses function like the shutter on a camera, enabling the microscope to capture snapshots of electrons within a sheet of graphene every 625 attoseconds. Although the current technology doesn’t yet allow for the imaging of individual electrons, the collected images can be compiled to create a stop-motion movie that shows how a group of electrons moves through a molecule.

Revolutionising the Study of Electrons

This technique offers researchers a powerful new tool for studying electron dynamics in various materials, including those involved in chemical reactions or even within biological structures like DNA. Understanding these processes at such a fine scale could lead to breakthroughs in the development of new materials and personalized medicines. Hassan notes that the attomicroscope bridges the gap between laboratory research and real-world applications, offering scientists an opportunity to observe and study the atomic world in ways that were previously impossible.

By providing a more detailed view of electron motion, the attomicroscope could revolutionize how scientists approach and solve complex problems in both chemistry and biology.