When is a molecule a molecule? Scientists watch fast electron jumps in exploding molecules
Thursday, July 17, 2014 - 14:30
in Physics & Chemistry
Using ultra-short X-ray flashes, an international team of researchers watched electrons jumping between the fragments of exploding molecules. The study reveals up to what distance charge transfer between the molecular fragments can occur, marking the limit of the molecular regime. Such mechanisms play a role in numerous chemical processes, including photosynthesis.