Imagine having a camera so advanced that it can capture freeze-frame images of a moving electron – an object so fast it could orbit the Earth multiple times in just a second. Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed the world’s fastest electron microscope capable of this remarkable feat.
Their innovative technique, dubbed “attomicroscopy,” uses a novel ultrafast electron microscope to capture moving electrons in unprecedented detail. This breakthrough has far-reaching implications for various fields, including materials science and medicine.
The team, led by Mohammed Hassan, used a combination of advanced optics and precision engineering to create the world’s fastest microscope. The device can freeze time to capture images of electrons in motion, allowing scientists to study these tiny particles with unprecedented clarity.
“This is a game-changer for our field,” said Hassan. “For the first time, we can see pieces of the electron in motion, which will help us better understand the behavior of materials at the atomic level.”
The researchers used this technology to capture images of electrons moving through various materials, including metals and semiconductors. These findings have significant implications for the development of new electronic devices and energy storage systems.
The study was funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. The research team included Hassan, Nikolay Golubev, Dandan Hui, Husain Alqattan, and Mohamed Sennary.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/worlds-fastest-microscope-freezes-time-to-capture-moving-electrons/