Controlled Molecule Imaging
Unraveling the Structure‑Function Relationship in the Molecular Sciences
We develop innovative methods to obtain full control over large molecules and nanoparticles. These methods and the created controlled samples are exploited in fundamental physics and chemistry studies to unravel the underlying mechanisms of chemistry and biology by watching molecules at work.
Highlights
Electrons’ ballet in real time
21 May 2020
Scientists take important step towards quantum molecular movies
Article on x-ray diffractive imaging of controlled gas-phase molecules reveals the molecular structure of 2,5-diiodothiophene – featured in Scilight and selected as Editor's Choice
28 February 2020
Structure determines function. This simple statement is the key motivation behind diffraction experiments of small molecules, viruses or bacteria, which are performed in order to understand their function. Featured as Editor's Choice and highlighted in an AIP Scilight.
Using corkscrew lasers to separate mirror molecules
10 December 2019
Innovative approach could deepen insight into the mysterious handedness of life
Scientists film molecular rotation
29 July 2019
Scientists have used precisely tuned pulses of laser light to film the ultrafast rotation of a molecule. The resulting “molecular movie” tracks one and a half revolutions of carbonyl sulphide (OCS) – a rod-shaped molecule consisting of one oxygen, one carbon and one sulphur atom – taking place within 125 trillionths of a second, at a high temporal and spatial resolution. The team headed by DESY’s Jochen Küpper from the Center for Free-Electron Laser Science (CFEL) and Arnaud Rouzée from the Max Born Institute in Berlin are presenting their findings in the journal Nature Communications. CFEL is a cooperation of DESY, the Max Planck Society and Universität Hamburg.