Credit: Image courtesy of Brookhaven National Laboratory
Imaging atomic-scale electron-lattice interactions: A laser pulse (red beam coming from right) gives electrons in a manganese oxide a "kick" of energy while a high-energy electron beam (blue) probes the atomic structure. Circle- and rod-shaped blobs represent spherical and elongated electron clouds on the manganese atoms. The oxygen atoms (not shown) form regular and elongated octahedra around the manganese atoms. Varying the time delay between the pulse and the probe lets scientists directly measure time-resolved subtle shifts in atomic arrangements as the lattice responds to the kicked-up electrons. It reveals the motion of the electrons in the system being accompanied by the atomic lattice deformation it induces.