Ultrafast Vortex Diffraction Visualizes Electron Motion, Revolutionizing Quantum Studies

Edited by: Irena I

UC San Diego researchers unveiled ultrafast vortex electron diffraction on February 19, 2025, a method visualizing electron movement in molecules at attosecond timescales. This innovation overcomes the challenge of observing electrons' rapid oscillations around an atom's nucleus.

The technique employs a spiraling electron beam for precise tracking of electron motion in space and time. It exhibits heightened sensitivity to electronic coherence, where electrons move synchronously. Isolating these coherent dynamics allows deeper study of quantum processes, such as energy transfer and electron behavior in advanced materials.

Led by Haowei Wu and Haiwang Yong, the research, published in Physical Review Letters, was supported by the W. M. Keck Foundation. Yong emphasizes that this method's sensitivity to electronic coherences opens possibilities for visualizing ultrafast quantum phenomena, potentially enabling control of chemical reactions at a fundamental level. This breakthrough promises advancements in catalysis, materials science, and nanotechnology by manipulating electron dynamics.

Ultrafast vortex electron diffraction allows observation of dynamic processes in real-time, transforming approaches to quantum mechanics and material science. This advancement paves the way for innovations in quantum computing and energy-efficient materials by visualizing and manipulating electron behavior.

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