Researchers advance molecular control and X-ray imaging technologies

Researchers have developed new methods to control and observe molecular structures and chemical reactions using advanced laser and X-ray technologies.

At the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, scientists demonstrated how two synchronized infrared lasers can control the transformation between two different molecular structures. This method, utilizing a dual-color operation mode of a newly built double-oscillator IR-FEL, provides insights into the microscopic processes and energy landscapes that govern chemical reactions.

In a separate development, an international team led by the University of Hamburg and the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory has found a way to mitigate damage caused by X-ray imaging. By using ultrafast pulses, researchers can partially reverse the electronic bleaching caused by ionizing radiation. This advancement helps overcome the traditional trade-off between image brightness and sample destruction, allowing for higher resolution imaging of atoms and molecules without the immediate loss of structural integrity.