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Ultrafast computers controlled by light: a new frontier opened by Politecnico di Milano and CNR

Researchers at Politecnico di Milano and CNR have developed a new ultrafast computer technology controlled by light, potentially hundreds of times faster than traditional electronics. The technology manipulates the state of electrons in matter using oscillating light, enabling operations at rates above 10 terahertz.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 10, 2026

The gold standard: Researchers end 20-year spin debate on gold surface with definitive, full-map quantum imaging

The study definitively resolves the controversy by capturing complete two-dimensional snapshots of electron spin and orbital shape on the Au(111) Shockley surface state. The experiment unambiguously confirms the Rashba effect, establishing a robust reference dataset for spin-resolved photoemission.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalJournal of the Physical Society of Japan·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 17, 2025
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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High-frequency molecular vibrations initiate electron movement

A team of scientists observed the earliest steps of ultrafast charge transfer in a complex dye molecule, with high-frequency vibrations playing a central role. The experiments showed that these vibrations initiate charge transport, while processes in the surrounding solvent begin only at a later stage.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeObservational study·DateAug 20, 2025

Sustainable method produces high-purity material for use in green hydrogen production

Researchers developed a simple, economical and environmentally friendly purification method for mullite-type bismuth ferrite, improving its efficiency in producing green hydrogen. The process uses light and glycerol to eliminate unwanted compounds, resulting in high-purity material suitable for photoelectrochemical reactions.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalElectrochimica Acta·DateMay 12, 2025
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Quantum state of photoelectrons measured for the first time

For the first time, scientists have measured the quantum state of electrons ejected from atoms after absorbing high-energy light pulses. This technique provides a new way to study the interaction between light and matter, with potential applications in various fields of research.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 12, 2025

BESSY II shows how solid-state batteries degrade

Researchers at HZB have developed a method to precisely monitor electrochemical reactions in solid-state batteries using photoelectron spectroscopy at BESSY II. The results show that decomposition products form at interfaces, hindering lithium ion transport and reducing battery capacity with each charge cycle.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalACS Energy Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 10, 2024

A simpler method for precise molecular orbital visualization

A new method for visualizing molecular orbitals has been developed, enabling scientists to analyze molecular dynamics and deformations in molecular films more easily. The technique, called PhaseLift-based photoemission orbital tomography (POT), allows for precise visualization of electronic states with a single set of measurements.

SourceChiba University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry A·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2024

BESSY II: Surface analysis of catalyst particles in aqueous solutions

Researchers investigate how water molecules react with or on nanoparticle surfaces in aqueous solutions. They found that acidic conditions cause water molecules to split on hematite nanoparticles, while basic pH is required for anatase nanoparticles.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalAccounts of Chemical Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 21, 2023
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New software based on Artificial Intelligence helps to interpret complex data

Researchers have developed a new software based on artificial intelligence that can help interpret complex data. The software, called disentangled variational autoencoder network (β-VAE), uses two neural networks to compress and reconstruct data, allowing humans to understand the underlying core principle without prior knowledge.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 20, 2022

Measured approach to organic solar cell mastery

Researchers at KAUST have discovered that the energy level alignment between donor and acceptor components in organic solar cells is crucial for device performance. Contrary to current belief, blends with little to no difference in one energy level metric were found to be poor performers.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateSep 13, 2022
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New research furthers understanding of the electronic structure of graphite

Researchers have made significant advancements in understanding the electronic structure of graphite, a crucial component in battery production. The study's findings highlight the importance of surface effects in bulk intrinsic electronic state measurements, revealing new insights into the material's electrical properties.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalPhysical Review B·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2022

Attosecond-scale measurement of Wigner time delay in molecular photoionization

Scientists successfully measured the attosecond-scale Wigner time delay in molecular photoionization, providing insights into the timing of the photoemission process. The 'double-pointer attoclock' scheme was used to disentangle the orientation-dependent behavior of molecular Coulomb interaction and molecular orbital structure.

SourceUltrafast Science·JournalUltrafast Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2022

Novel solar cell architecture performs well under real-world constraints

Researchers developed a hot-carrier multijunction solar cell that maintains high conversion efficiency with nonoptimal materials, expanding the scope of candidate designs. The novel architecture showed superior resilience to design imperfections, widening the range of suitable materials and operating conditions.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateJun 1, 2022

Probing the orbital angular momentum of intense vortex pulses with strong-field ionization

Researchers developed an approach to measure the orbital angular momentum of intense vortex pulses using photoelectron momentum imaging via strong-field photoionization. They successfully characterized three different OAM modes and proposed a universal scheme for higher OAM detection, with minimal influence on the OAM states.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateMar 24, 2022

Towards high-performance organic optoelectronics with better crystallinity at semiconductor interface

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science developed a high-quality crystalline interface using quasi-homo-epitaxial growth, which eliminated mobility issues and enabled spontaneous electron transfer. This breakthrough could lead to highly efficient flexible solar cells and wearable electronic devices.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 13, 2022
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A direct look at OLED films leads to some pretty exciton findings

Scientists from the University of Tsukuba directly observed electron dynamics in organic film OLEDs, revealing a previously unknown feature of exciton decay. The study's findings may contribute to the development of more efficient OLED-based products.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateJun 25, 2021

12,000 scientific articles a year -- can they all be wrong?

Researchers at Linköping University discovered that XPS can give misleading analysis results due to an erroneous assumption during calibration. This error has led to the publication of interpretations of data in conflict with basic physics, raising concerns about research credibility.

SourceLinköping University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 22, 2021

Probing the dynamics of photoemission

Physicists used attosecond pulses to study tungsten crystals' photoelectron emission dynamics. The results show that electrons from neighboring energy states in the valence band differ by tens of attoseconds in their response times.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 17, 2021
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Light swirls provide insights into the quantum world

Physicists have created a new method to study previously invisible quantum states of electrons using optical vortices. By combining conventional laser beams with swirls of light, researchers can detect the properties of emitted photoelectrons and gain insights into material structure and interaction with light.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalNature Photonics·DateAug 10, 2020

How is a metal formed?

Scientists have successfully mapped the electrolyte-to-metal transition in alkali metal-liquid ammonia solutions, revealing the formation of a conduction band with sharp Fermi edges. This study provides a detailed molecular picture of metallic behavior and could lead to the preparation of metallic water.

SourceInstitute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague)·JournalScience·DateJun 5, 2020
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

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Team of researchers determines absolute duration of photoelectric effect for the first time

A team of researchers at Technical University of Munich has developed a new method to measure the time between X-ray photon absorption and electron emission. The study reveals that photoelectrons can be generated in around 40 attoseconds, which is twice as fast as expected. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in photocathodes ...

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature·DateSep 19, 2018

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy under real ambient pressure conditions

Researchers successfully improved an ambient-pressure photoelectron spectroscopy instrument using hard X-rays to measure samples under real atmospheric pressure for the first time. This achievement broadens the range of applications for photoelectron spectroscopy, enabling direct examination of reactions between solids and gases.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalApplied Physics Express·DateJun 27, 2017

Tunneling ionization helps scientists to track ultrafast changes in molecules

Researchers have developed a method to observe the structure of molecules and track changes within attosecond timescales. By using tunneling ionization and ultrashort laser pulses, scientists can measure electron interference patterns, providing insight into molecular configurations.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 8, 2016
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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A better look at the chemistry of interfaces

Researchers developed a new X-ray spectroscopy technique called SWAPPS, combining standing-wave and ambient-pressure photoelectron spectroscopy to study heterogeneous interfaces with sub-nanometer resolution. This allows for the measurement of elemental and chemical composition with enhanced sensitivity in narrow interfacial regions.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 2, 2014

Surprising control over photoelectrons from a topological insulator

Scientists have found a way to flip the spin polarization of electrons emitted from topological insulators by controlling the polarization of the incident light. This discovery opens up new possibilities for studying and manipulating electronic states in these materials.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 13, 2013

Steps towards filming atoms dancing

Researchers create technique to measure temporal profile and arrival time of individual FEL pulses with femtosecond precision, allowing for precise study of atomic, molecular, and solid-state systems. The method enables filming of atoms in motion and exploration of processes that evolve within X-ray exposure.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalNature Photonics·DateDec 3, 2012

Berkeley Lab scientists unveil an X-ray technique called HARPES

Researchers develop new X-ray technique HARPES to study electronic structures below material surfaces, enabling better performance in nanoscale devices. The technique uses hard x-rays to probe deeper into materials than current ARPES methods.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateAug 25, 2011
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

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Fuel cells in operation: A closer look

Researchers used ambient-pressure XPS to examine every feature of a working solid oxide electrochemical cell, operating in an atmosphere of hydrogen and water vapor at high temperatures. This allowed for direct measurement of local chemical states and electric potentials at surfaces and interfaces during the cell's operation.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateOct 5, 2010

Spectroscopy for the real world

Scientists developed a high-pressure photoelectron spectroscopy system to study chemical underpinnings of everyday catalytic, biological, and ecological phenomena. They found that negatively charged ions concentrate at the surface of salt grains as they dissolve in water.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateJan 31, 2005