Franz Himpsel, University of Wisconsin
Recently, a DOE/BESAC study about “Next-Generation Photon Sources for Grand Challenges in Science and Energy” was completed. This talk will give an overview of the impact that can be expected from next-generation UV and X-ray light sources on nanoscience and nanotechnology, particularly in the area of energy. These light sources will be radically different from previous generations in two respects: 1) A time resolution down to femtoseconds will make it possible to follow the atomic motion in real time and to explore the time scales of electronic excitations and decay processes. (Bio-)catalytic reaction steps can be resolved and the loss of carriers in photovoltaics can be traced. 2) Full spatial and temporal coherence will enable imaging of nano-scale objects with detailed chemical and spectroscopic information. Electronic orbitals and quantized energy levels can be resolved in tailored nanostructures with well-defined atomic arrangements.
