Our understanding of time and the fundamental nature of reality just took a massive leap forward. Scientists have successfully measured changes in an atom on the scale of zeptoseconds—a trillionth of a billionth of a second.
This is the smallest unit of time ever recorded, giving us an unprecedented look at how subatomic particles behave in quantum interactions.
This breakthrough enabled researchers to observe, in real-time, an electron escaping from its atom—a process first described in Einstein’s photoelectric effect.
Until now, scientists could only estimate parts of this event, but with zeptosecond precision, we can now see how energy is distributed among electrons at the atomic level.
Breaking Down the Photoelectric Effect
The photoelectric effect, first proposed by Albert Einstein in 1905, describes what happens when photons (light particles) collide with electrons orbiting an atom. ‘According to quantum mechanics, the photon’s energy can be entirely absorbed by a single electron or divided among multiple electrons.
However, until now, no one has been able to measure precisely how this energy is allocated.
We know that this process ejects electrons from their parent atoms in an incredibly short time frame—previous research estimated it took between 5 and 15 attoseconds (10⁻¹⁸ seconds).
But what happens before the electron leaves the atom remained a mystery—until now.
Observing the Moment Before Escape
A team led by the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in Germany has finally filled in the missing details by capturing this phenomenon with zeptosecond (10⁻²¹ seconds) precision.
Using an advanced laser system, they fired a series of ultraviolet laser pulses at helium atoms and measured the interaction between photons and electrons with unprecedented accuracy.
Helium was chosen because it has just two electrons, making it complex enough to reveal quantum behavior but simple enough to detect meaningful patterns.
By precisely timing how the energy was absorbed and distributed among the electrons, the researchers determined that the ejection of an electron took between 7 and 20 attoseconds, depending on its interaction with the nucleus and the other electron.
This marks the first time scientists have measured the entire process from photon impact to electron escape.
Challenging Assumptions About Quantum Behavior
For decades, the assumption was that electron ejection followed a predictable pattern based on energy levels.
However, this experiment revealed a more complex reality. The researchers discovered that:
- Sometimes, energy was evenly split between the two electrons.
- Other times, one electron took the entire photon’s energy, while the other received nothing.
- Factors like electron correlation and electromagnetic field fluctuations influenced the outcome.
This unexpected variability challenges conventional wisdom about how electrons behave at the quantum level. It suggests that even at the smallest scales, randomness and electron interactions play a bigger role than previously thought.
Why This Discovery Matters
This groundbreaking measurement is more than just a technical achievement—it has the potential to redefine our understanding of atomic physics.
With a more detailed view of how electrons behave on an individual level, we can develop advanced technologies such as:
- Superconductors that operate at higher temperatures
- More efficient quantum computers
- Ultra-fast electronics that process information at near-light speed
The next phase of research will focus on creating a complete model of electron interactions, refining our ability to predict quantum behavior.
As lead researcher Martin Schultze explained:
“There is always more than one electron. They always interact. They will always feel each other, even at great distances.
If you really want to develop a microscopic understanding of atoms, on the most basic level, you need to understand how electrons deal with each other.”
With every advancement in quantum mechanics, we take another step toward unlocking the secrets of the universe—and this latest discovery brings us closer than ever before.
