Wednesday 26 March 2025
Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the behavior of ions in liquid helium, a feat that could lead to new insights into the fundamental nature of matter and energy.
Researchers created tiny droplets of liquid helium containing a single sodium ion and used powerful lasers to study how the ion interacts with its surroundings. By measuring the time it takes for additional helium atoms to bind to the sodium ion, scientists were able to gain valuable insights into the dynamics of solvation – the process by which an ion is surrounded by a shell of solvent molecules.
The experiment involved creating droplets of liquid helium containing a single sodium ion and then using lasers to excite the ion. The researchers then used another laser to probe the ion’s surroundings, measuring how long it took for additional helium atoms to bind to the ion. This process was repeated thousands of times, allowing scientists to build up a detailed picture of how the solvation process unfolded over time.
The results showed that the sodium ion attracts helium atoms in a very specific way, with each atom binding to the ion in a particular sequence. This sequence is determined by the energy released when an atom binds to the ion, which depends on the distance between the atom and the ion.
By studying this process, scientists hope to gain a deeper understanding of how ions interact with their surroundings, which could have significant implications for our understanding of matter and energy at the atomic level. The results also highlight the importance of using precise measurements to study complex chemical processes, such as solvation.
The experiment involved creating droplets of liquid helium containing a single sodium ion and then using lasers to excite the ion. The researchers then used another laser to probe the ion’s surroundings, measuring how long it took for additional helium atoms to bind to the ion. This process was repeated thousands of times, allowing scientists to build up a detailed picture of how the solvation process unfolded over time.
The results showed that the sodium ion attracts helium atoms in a very specific way, with each atom binding to the ion in a particular sequence. This sequence is determined by the energy released when an atom binds to the ion, which depends on the distance between the atom and the ion.
By studying this process, scientists hope to gain a deeper understanding of how ions interact with their surroundings, which could have significant implications for our understanding of matter and energy at the atomic level. The results also highlight the importance of using precise measurements to study complex chemical processes, such as solvation.
Cite this article: “Unraveling the Dynamics of Solvation in Liquid Helium”, The Science Archive, 2025.
Ions, Liquid Helium, Sodium Ion, Solvation, Lasers, Dynamics, Atomic Level, Matter, Energy, Chemical Processes
