Researchers Capture First-Ever Images Of Atoms Moving In A Molecule (IMAGE)
Caption
Researchers at Ohio State University and Kansas State University have captured the first-ever images of atoms moving in a molecule. Shown here is molecular nitrogen. The researchers used an ultrafast laser to knock one electron from the molecule, and recorded the diffraction pattern that was created when the electron scattered off the molecule. The image highlights any changes the molecule went through during the time between laser pulses: one quadrillionth of a second. The constituent atoms' movement is shown as a measure of increasing angular momentum, on a scale from dark blue to pink, with pink showing the region of greatest momentum.
Credit
Image courtesy of Cosmin Blaga, Ohio State University.
Usage Restrictions
News media use only
License
Licensed content