Caltech chemist Ahmed H. Zewail, Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry, for his pioneering work in ultrafast reactions is now trying to make another breakthrough in this field at California Institute of Technology. The only modified transmission electron microscope interfaced with an ultrafast laser can capture four-dimensional pictures of molecules and 3-D structural changes over time during their formation and breaking apart and that too in real time.
By holding this very achievement, scientist are now on the verge of exploring a vast field of chemical, physical as well as biological science. However, the preliminary results are much to the delight of physical, materials, and biological scientists, which will make them to analyze the phenomenon that takes place in one billionth of one millionth of a second, or a ‘femtosecond.’
The work includes coherent electron packets liberated from a photocathode with ‘femtosecond’ laser pulses. At an acceleration of 120 keV, these pulses posses as little as one electron per second. This ensures prevention of space charge broadening of the electron beam and brings the electron trajectories in sharp focus. Further, very weak ‘femtosecond’ pulses, which constitute a high frequency, are used to illuminate the photocathode.
Caltech is now looking to commercialize the instrument, making it available to other scientists. According to article, featured in Chemical & Engineering News, ACS’ weekly newsmagazine, an agreement with a microscope manufacturer constitutes the first step toward it.
Via: NanoWerk
