Picosecond (IMAGE) Helmholtz Association Caption An optical laser flash (red) destroys the electronic order (blue) in magnetite and, within one trillionth of a second, switches the state of the material from insulating to conducting. Credit Image: Greg Stewart, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.