Schematic representation of the experimental setup: Attosecond pulses (violet) eject electrons (green) from a crystal surface area. The photoemission electron microscopic lense (cone-shaped instrument at leading) analyzes the quick movements of the electrons. Credit: Jan Vogelsang, editedA groundbreaking study by a Swedish-German team has actually tracked ultrafast electron dynamics with exceptional accuracy, opening new opportunities in nanomaterial and solar battery research.When electrons move within a molecule or semiconductor, this occurs on unimaginably short time scales. A Swedish-German research study team including physicist Dr. Jan Vogelsang from the University of Oldenburg has now made substantial progress towards a better understanding of these ultrafast procedures: The researchers were able to track the characteristics of electrons launched from the surface area of zinc oxide crystals utilizing laser pulses with spatial resolution in the nanometer range and at formerly unattained temporal resolution.Advancements in Electron Behavior ResearchWith these experiments, the group showed the applicability of an approach that could be utilized to much better comprehend the habits of electrons in nanomaterials and new kinds of solar cells, amongst other applications. Researchers from Lund University, including Professor Dr Anne LHuillier, one of in 2015s 3 Nobel laureates in physics, were associated with the study, which was released in the science journal Advanced Physics Research.Looking into the vacuum chamber of the Photoemission Electron Microscope in Lund: The research study group utilized a similar gadget to study electrons that had actually been released from a sample using laser pulses. Credit: Jan VogelsangIn their experiments, the research group combined an unique kind of electron microscopy referred to as photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) with attosecond physics technology. The researchers use exceptionally short-duration light pulses to thrill electrons and record their subsequent habits. “The procedure is similar to a flash catching a quick movement in photography,” Vogelsang discussed. An attosecond is extremely brief– simply a billionth of a billionth of a second.Combining Advanced Techniques for Improved AccuracyAs the team reports, similar experiments had actually up until now failed to achieve the temporal precision needed to track the electrons motion. The tiny elementary particles whizz around much faster than the larger and heavier atomic nuclei. In the present research study, however, the researchers had the ability to integrate the two technologically requiring methods, photoemission electron microscopy and attosecond microscopy, without compromising either the spatial or temporal resolution. “We have now finally reached the point where we can utilize attosecond pulses to investigate in detail the interaction of light and matter at the atomic level and in nanostructures,” stated Vogelsang.Technological Breakthroughs and Future ResearchOne aspect that made this progress possible was the usage of a light source that generates a particularly high amount of attosecond flashes per 2nd– in this case, 200,000 light pulses per second. Each flash launched on average one electron from the surface of the crystal, allowing the researchers to study their habits without them affecting each other. “The more pulses per 2nd you produce, the easier it is to extract a small measurement signal from a dataset,” explained the physicist.Anne LHuilliers laboratory at Lund University (Sweden), where the experiments for the present study were carried out, is one of the few lab worldwide with the technological equipment needed for such experiments. Vogelsang, who was a postdoctoral researcher at Lund University from 2017 to 2020, is presently in the procedure of establishing a similar experimental lab at the University of Oldenburg. In the future, the two teams prepare to continue their investigations and check out the behavior of electrons in numerous materials and nanostructures.Reference: “Time-Resolved Photoemission Electron Microscopy on a ZnO Surface Using an Extreme Ultraviolet Attosecond Pulse Pair” by Jan Vogelsang, Lukas Wittenbecher, Sara Mikaelsson, Chen Guo, Ivan Sytcevich, Anne-Lise Viotti, Cord L. Arnold, Anne LHuillier and Anders Mikkelsen, 03 December 2023, Advanced Physics Research.DOI: 10.1002/ apxr.202300122 Vogelsang has headed the Attosecond Microscopy research study group at the University of Oldenburg since 2022. The group is moneyed by the German Research Foundations distinguished Emmy Noether Programme.
A Swedish-German research study team including physicist Dr. Jan Vogelsang from the University of Oldenburg has now made considerable development towards a better understanding of these ultrafast procedures: The researchers were able to track the dynamics of electrons launched from the surface area of zinc oxide crystals utilizing laser pulses with spatial resolution in the nanometer range and at previously unattained temporal resolution.Advancements in Electron Behavior ResearchWith these experiments, the team demonstrated the applicability of an approach that might be used to much better understand the habits of electrons in nanomaterials and new types of solar cells, among other applications. Researchers from Lund University, including Professor Dr Anne LHuillier, one of last years three Nobel laureates in physics, were included in the study, which was published in the science journal Advanced Physics Research.Looking into the vacuum chamber of the Photoemission Electron Microscope in Lund: The research study group used a similar device to study electrons that had actually been released from a sample utilizing laser pulses. Credit: Jan VogelsangIn their experiments, the research study group combined a special type of electron microscopy known as photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) with attosecond physics technology.
