Although zero-point motion and the theoretical energy driving this motion can be characterized by quantum physics, directly measuring this motion has been considered impossible. Along with the cost and complexity of cooling samples to absolute zero, the primary impediment to measuring zero-point motion is a concept in quantum physics known as the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle<\/a>. According to Heisenberg, it is impossible to measure both the location and the speed of quantum particles simultaneously.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like observing a dance without being able to see simultaneously exactly where someone is dancing and how fast they\u2019re moving \u2013 you always must choose to focus on one,\u201d the study authors explain.<\/p>\n The researchers also note that measuring the properties of multiple atoms within a molecule can be challenging, particularly for molecules containing two or three atoms. In iodopyridine, the molecule that the team chose to study, there are eleven atoms vibrating in 27 different modes, making the task even more complex.<\/p>\n To achieve the impossible, the team gained access to the world\u2019s largest X-ray laser, the European XFEL in Hamburg, Germany. Using a technique called Coulomb Explosion Imaging, they directed the high-energy laser to bombard an iodopyridine sample with ultrashort, high-intensity X-ray pulses. These laser pulses triggered the molecules to undergo a controlled explosion, which allowed the team to capture high-resolution images of their underlying structure.<\/p>\n The team explained that a powerful X-ray pulse \u201cknocks many electrons out of the molecule,\u201d causing the atoms to become positively charged. This newly positive charge state causes the atoms to repel each other and fly apart \u201cin a fraction of a trillionth of a second.\u201d During that brief interval, a special apparatus measures the atom\u2019s time of impact and its position, allowing the team to reconstruct the molecule\u2019s original structure.<\/p>\n As hoped, the experiments captured the zero-point motion of the atoms. The team noted that by capturing this \u201cdance of the atoms,\u201d they revealed each atom\u2019s precise choreography and something else unexpected: the atoms seemed to dance in a coordinated manner.<\/p>\n \u201cThe exciting thing about our work is that we were able to see that the atoms don\u2019t just vibrate individually, but that they vibrate in a coupled manner, following fixed patterns,\u201d Jahnke explained. \u201cWe directly measured this behavior for the first time in individual medium-sized molecules that were also in their lowest energy state.\u201d<\/p>\n While the team\u2019s imaging of zero-point motion was unprecedented, Jahnke said it has a long history. Specifically, the actual data used in the study was gathered six years earlier during an unrelated experiment.<\/p>\n \u201cWe originally collected the data in 2019 during a measurement campaign led by Rebecca Boll at the European XFEL, which had an entirely different goal,\u201d he explained. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t until two years later that we realized we were actually seeing signs of zero-point motion.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Gregor Kastirke, who built a customized version of the COLTRIMS reaction microscope tailored specifically for the European XFEL, which was used to image the exploding atoms, said seeing the tool in action in such a significant way was a memorable experience.<\/p>\n \t\t
<\/p>\n \t\t\t
\u201cWitnessing such groundbreaking results makes me feel a little proud,\u201d Kastirke said. \u201cAfter all, they only come about through years of preparation and close teamwork.\u201d<\/p>\n In the study\u2019s conclusion, Jahnke notes the significant collaboration with colleagues from the Center for Free-Electron Laser Science in Hamburg. Beno\u00eet Richard and Ludger Inhester, who invented all-new analysis methods, \u201cthat elevated our data interpretation to an entirely new level.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLooking back, many puzzle pieces had to come together perfectly,\u201d Jahnke added.<\/p>\n The team leader also noted that his team is continuously improving their method and is \u201calready planning\u201d the next series of zero-point motion experiments.<\/p>\n \u201cOur goal is to go beyond the dance of atoms and observe in addition the dance of electrons\u2014a choreography that is significantly faster and also influenced by atomic motion,\u201d he explained. \u201cWith our apparatus, we can gradually create real short films of molecular processes\u2014something that was once unimaginable.\u201d<\/p>\n The study, \u201cImaging collective quantum fluctuations of the structure of a complex molecule<\/a>,\u201d was published in Science.<\/p>\n Christopher Plain is a Science Fiction and Fantasy novelist and Head Science Writer at The Debrief. Follow and connect with him on <\/strong>X<\/strong><\/a>, learn about his books at <\/strong>plainfiction.com<\/strong><\/a>, or email him directly at <\/strong>christopher@thedebrief.org<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t![\"creativity\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/creativity-120x120.jpg\")
\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
<\/p>\n