Watching Chemistry Happen: Real-Time Tracking of Chemical Bond Formation

Real-time observation of chemical bonds forming

In an unprecedented scientific feat, physicists at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) have managed to track the formation of chemical bonds in real time at the atomic scale. Using a combination of superfluid helium droplets and femtosecond laser pulses, the research team, led by Markus Koch, captured the precise energy dynamics as individual magnesium atoms clustered together to form a bond.

Published in Communications Chemistry, the breakthrough is not only a triumph of experimental physics, but also a crucial step toward understanding energy transfer at the quantum level—insights that could have significant implications in fields ranging from photomedicine to solar energy conversion.

Nano-Fridges and Femtosecond Precision

The researchers tackled a major challenge in molecular physics: observing atoms before they form a chemical bond. Normally, atoms like magnesium bind instantaneously, leaving no traceable "before" state. To counter this, Koch’s team used superfluid helium droplets as “nano-refrigerators,” cooling individual magnesium atoms to 0.4 Kelvin and isolating them spatially. This ultra-cold setup created the perfect starting point for controlled bond formation.

Then, a carefully timed laser pulse triggered the bond-forming reaction. Within femtoseconds—a quadrillionth of a second—researchers used additional laser pulses to probe the developing clusters with photoelectron and photoion spectroscopy, recording energy changes at every step.

Energy Pooling: A Never-Before-Seen Effect

One of the most striking discoveries was the observation of energy pooling. As the magnesium atoms began to bond, they collectively funneled the energy absorbed from the laser into a single atom, elevating it into a highly excited state. This phenomenon had never been captured with such clarity and speed before. It may serve as a model for how energy is redistributed in other complex quantum systems.

“Understanding energy pooling in atomic clusters opens up fascinating possibilities for optimizing energy transfer mechanisms in a wide range of scientific and industrial applications,” said Koch.

Implications Beyond Fundamental Research

While this work is primarily rooted in fundamental physics, its implications are far-reaching. By extending this method to other elements, researchers could explore photochemical processes in biological systems, improve laser-based cancer treatments, or even design more efficient light-harvesting materials for renewable energy.

This experiment sets a new benchmark for how we can study chemical bonding not just in frozen moments, but as an unfolding, dynamic process governed by quantum energy flow.

For more details, read the original article on Phys.org or consult the full research publication: DOI: 10.1038/s42004-025-01563-6

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