First Time Electron Filmed: What's Going On?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the article "Electron filmed in motion for the first time," published by MSNBC, which raises skepticism regarding the accuracy of the claims made about filming an electron. Participants express doubts about the visual representation of the electron, questioning whether the concentric rings or bright spots in the footage truly depict the electron itself. The discussion highlights the use of attosecond pulses and collision dynamics in the experiment, emphasizing that the sequence is more about energy distribution than traditional filming. Key resources shared include a technical overview from Lunds University and relevant research papers.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles
  • Familiarity with attosecond pulse technology
  • Knowledge of electron behavior and detection methods
  • Basic comprehension of scientific research publication formats
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the principles of attosecond pulse generation and applications
  • Research electron detection techniques and their implications in physics
  • Study the methodology behind the creation of visual representations in quantum experiments
  • Read the article in Physical Review Letters for in-depth scientific analysis
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This discussion is beneficial for physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and researchers interested in the visualization of subatomic particles and the methodologies used in cutting-edge scientific experiments.

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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Only black screen. when will be sit opposite side? :)
 
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.
 
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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Tx joema. Those articles were a huge help.
 

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