Trio wins Nobel Prize in physics for finding a way to ‘see’ electrons

• Recently, the Nobel Prize for Physics 2023 was awarded to France’s Pierre Agostini, Hungarian-Austrian Ferenc Krausz and French-Swedish Anne L’Huillier.
• They were awarded for research using ultra-quick light flashes that enable the study of electrons inside atoms and molecules.

The Work

• The scientists have demonstrated a way to create extremely short pulses of light.
• This can be used to measure the rapid processes in which electrons move or change energy.
• An atom is composed of a nucleus of protons and neutrons; and electrons that travel around this nucleus.
• Electrons move so fast that it is impossible to observe them in real time.
• But now, we can observe and study the movement of electrons, by producing pulses of light that last only attoseconds (1×10−18 of a second).
• This can be compared to a high-shutter-speed camera.
  • If a normal camera is used to capture a moving train, the image will be blurred.

Significance

• Attosecond physics gives us the opportunity to understand mechanisms that are governed by electrons.
• It has potential applications in both electronics and medical diagnostics.
• One possible application is to study molecular-level changes in blood to identify diseases.
• A better understanding of how electrons move and transmit energy can also help in creating more efficient electronic gadgets.

Prelims Takeaway

• Nobel Prize Physics 2023
• Atoms and Molecules
• Nobel Prize