The Flow of Electrons on Femtosecond Timescales

Using a combination of femtosecond spectroscopy with electron microscopy techniques, the flow of electrons on femtosecond timescales was tracked. First, an ultrafast laser beam was used to excite the electron sample. Following this, another ultrafast laser beam was shone upon the sample to track the evolution of the excited electrons. The combination of the two methods has allowed the scientists to record this movie where electrons can be seen being directed to flow in opposite directions.