First Time Electron Filmed: What's Going On?

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In summary, an electron has been filmed in motion for the first time, and the video appears to be made up of still images taken from consecutive events.
  • #1
MonstersFromTheId
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This article, "Electron filmed in motion for the first time", in the MSNBC, technology and science section, left me a little suspicious --

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23336318/

I say "suspicious" because I've grown accustomed to overblown headlines like "Teleportation proved possible!" followed by predictions that I'll soon be "beaming" my way to work like Scotty, flying to work in a "Skycar", or live forever due to medical advances in nano-technology. What sells news isn't always very close to the truth.

First things first here, could someone please try to explain what it is I'm seeing in this film of "an electron in motion"?

What part of what I'm looking at is the electron? The concentric rings floating up and down? The bright spots that seem to appear and disappear?

Or is that an impossible question to answer without a LOT more info than this article provides?
 
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  • #2
Only black screen. when will be sit opposite side? :)
 
  • #3
It looks like "grantology". The actual science behind the movie is interesting: attosecond pulses, collision dynamics, etc. etc. etc. The claim of filming an electron is goofy. Never mind cloud chambers, I guess.

It took too long to get the movie, but I suspect the movie is a bunch of still images taken from consecutive events, stitched together. I saw an awesome movie of sonoluminescence/bubble collapse using that technique.
 
  • #4
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080222095358.htm

"The filmed sequence shows the energy distribution of the electron and is therefore not a film in the usual sense."

Technical overview: http://www.atto.fysik.lth.se/

Lunds University press release: http://www.atto.fysik.lth.se/video/pressrelen.pdf

Research paper: http://www.atto.fysik.lth.se/publications/papers/MauritssonPRL2008.pdf

Article in Physical Review Letters: http://focus.aps.org/story/v21/st7

"experiment generated a "bullseye" pattern showing the locations in which electrons struck the detector plate."
 
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  • #5
Tx joema. Those articles were a huge help.
 

FAQ: First Time Electron Filmed: What's Going On?

1. What is the significance of filming an electron for the first time?

The filming of an electron for the first time is a major breakthrough in the field of science and technology. It allows us to gain a better understanding of the behavior and properties of electrons, which are fundamental particles that play a crucial role in many scientific processes.

2. How was the electron filmed for the first time?

The electron was filmed using a technique called ultrafast transmission electron microscopy (UTEM). This technique involves using a high-speed electron beam to capture images of the electrons in motion. The images are then combined to create a video of the electron's movement.

3. What can we learn from the first filmed electron?

The first filmed electron has provided scientists with valuable insights into the behavior of electrons. It has allowed us to observe how electrons move and interact with other particles in real-time, which can help us to better understand and predict their behavior in various scientific processes.

4. What are the potential applications of this breakthrough?

The ability to film electrons in motion has many potential applications in various fields such as material science, nanotechnology, and biomedicine. It can help us design and develop new materials and devices, understand and improve chemical reactions, and even study biological processes at the molecular level.

5. What are the implications of this discovery for future research?

The first filmed electron opens up new possibilities for future research in electron microscopy and other related fields. Scientists can now use this technique to study a wide range of dynamic processes at the atomic and molecular level, which can lead to new discoveries and advancements in various scientific disciplines.

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