New camera reveals how light breaks molecules apart
Thursday, November 7, 2013 - 08:30
in Physics & Chemistry
Way beyond pure illumination—from bright sunshine to intense x-rays at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS)—light can pack a powerful punch down at the atomic scale. When light strikes organic compounds bound to certain surfaces, it can split them into atomic and molecular fragments called photoproducts. These fractured pieces offer crucial clues to how and why light breaks some chemical bonds, which is at the core of understanding how solar energy can be used to remove pollutants from the environment.