Watching electrons move in real time
At its most basic level, understanding chemistry means understanding what electrons are doing. Research published in The Journal of Chemical Physics not only maps the movement of electrons in real time but also observes a concerted electron and proton transfer that is quite different from any previously known phase transitions in the model crystal, ammonium sulfate. By extending X-ray powder diffraction into the femtosecond realm, the researchers were able to map the relocation of charges in the ammonium sulfate crystal after they were displaced by photoexcitation.
"Our prototype experiment produces a sort of 'molecular movie' of the atoms in action," says author Michael Woerner of the Max-Born-Institut für Nichtlineare Optik und Kurzzeitspektroskopie in Germany. "The time and spatial resolution is now at atomic time and length scales, respectively."
Electron positions were mapped by observing the diffraction of X-ray pulses lasting tens of femtoseconds (quadrillionth of a second). Positions of protons and other nuclei were deduced from the locations of regions of high electron density. Within the crystal, the excited electrons transferred from the sulfate groups to a tight channel within crystal matrix. This channel was stabilized by the transfer of protons from adjacent ammonium groups into the channel. This transfer mechanism had not been previously observed or proposed, and the researchers had expected to see much smaller displacements.
According to Woerner, the technique should be applicable to structural studies of materials ranging from biomolecules to high-temperature superconductors. "We expect that the technique will be applied to many interesting material systems." He says. "In principle, femtosecond X-ray powder diffraction can be applied to any crystalline form of matter. Only the complexity of crystals and the presence of heavy elements, which reduces the penetration depth of X-rays, set some constraints."
Original publication: Michael Woerner et al.; "Concerted electron and proton transfer in ionic crystals mapped by femtosecond x-ray powder diffraction"; J. Chem. Phys. 2010
Other news from the department science
These products might interest you
MS-Präzisionswaagen by Mettler-Toledo
Trusted Results at Your Fingertips
Capacity from 320 g to 12.2 kg, readability from 1 mg to 100 mg
Good Weighing Practice by Mettler-Toledo
Your Concrete Weighing Quality Assurance Plan
GWP Verification service
Precision balances by Ohaus
High-performance precision balances for everyday use in laboratories & industry
From milligram-accurate measurement of small samples to routine weighing in the kilogram range
Pioneer PX by Ohaus
Never before has a low-cost balance been such a good long-term investment
Accurate results every time - even when exposed to temperature fluctuations & electromagnetic fields
Automatische XPR-Waagen by Mettler-Toledo
Production of standards, samples and concentrations - fast and reliable
Automate the weighing processes in your laboratory - ideal also for sample prep at chromatography
Carepacs by Mettler-Toledo
Professional CarePacs for smooth routine testing
Tweezers, gloves and other accessories for professional weight handling
XPR Precision Balances by Mettler-Toledo
Fast and Accurate Precision Weighing Even in Difficult Conditions
XPR Precision Balances / Solutions to support you with data management, traceability and regulatory compliance
Balances analytiques by Ohaus
Analytical balances with outstanding weighing performance, as easy to use as a smartphone
These space-saving analytical and semi-micro balances are surprisingly intuitive to use
