It is a known fact that atoms are constantly in motion. Especially at temperatures above absolute zero, atoms dynamically move when exposed to various external factors such as heat and vibration. These movements are defined in the scientific world as ‘dynamic irregularity‘ and studying this phenomenon in detail holds significant importance in materials science. However, the extraordinary speed of these movements makes it impossible to capture them with standard digital cameras.
Traditional cameras can capture images at best at speeds of one four-thousandth of a second. However, scientists had to develop a technology requiring much higher resolution and speed to capture these fast movements of atoms. With recent developments, scientists have created a new camera that operates at one trillionth of a second. This camera is named vsPDF and uses neutron positioning to visualize dynamic irregularity.
Monitoring Atom Movements with Neutron Positions
This new technology allows studies on atoms and molecules to be conducted in a much more detailed and rapid manner. For example, recent studies on germanium telluride structures were conducted using vsPDF, and these studies successfully revealed the dynamic irregularity characteristics of the structures. The research results were published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Materials. This development could open new doors in the fields of materials science, as well as physics and chemistry, as processes at the atomic level can now be observed much more clearly.
