To take a photo, the best digital cameras need about one four-thousandth of a second to open their shutter. But capturing atomic movement? That requires a much faster shutter.
In 2023, scientists introduced a groundbreaking shutter speed of just a trillionth of a second. This speed is an astonishing 250 million times quicker than standard digital cameras. It can reveal something vital in materials science called “dynamic disorder.”
So, what is dynamic disorder? Imagine atoms in a material moving in specific ways due to vibrations or changes in temperature. Although we don’t fully understand this behavior yet, it’s key to how materials act and react.
This new technique, known as ‘variable shutter atomic pair distribution function,’ or vsPDF, allows researchers to see which atoms are moving and which are not. Simon Billinge, a materials scientist from Columbia University, noted that this tool lets us observe a level of activity in materials we couldn’t access before.
A faster shutter reveals clear snapshots. Just like a sports photo that shows players in motion without blur, vsPDF captures the quick movements of atoms. Instead of conventional imaging, it uses neutrons to track atoms’ positions. Changes in the neutrons’ energy levels help simulate faster shutter speeds.
The vsPDF technique is crucial for separating dynamic disorder from static disorder, which describes normal atomic movement that doesn’t enhance a material’s features. As Billinge put it, “It gives us a whole new way to untangle the complexities of what is going on in complex materials.”
For their research, the team focused on germanium telluride (GeTe), a material known for converting waste heat into electricity. Their findings showed that GeTe maintains its crystal structure at varying temperatures but becomes more dynamic at higher temperatures. This knowledge may improve thermoelectrics, potentially leading to better technologies for powering devices like Mars rovers when sunlight is unavailable.
Improved understanding of these materials can spark innovations in energy efficiency and device performance. However, the vsPDF method still requires refinement before it becomes a mainstream tool in material testing.
Future applications of this technique could transform how scientists study complex materials. As they develop a standardized approach, we may see advancements that enhance the performance and understanding of energy materials.
For more insights on this research, you can read the findings published in Nature Materials here.
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