Scientists Capture Real-Time Dynamics of C60 Fullerenes Using X-Ray Imaging

Researchers from the Max Planck Society have successfully captured the real-time breakup of C60 fullerenes using advanced X-ray imaging techniques. This groundbreaking study, published on November 21, 2025, in the journal Science Advances, sheds light on the intricate dynamics of polyatomic molecules under intense laser fields.

Breakthrough in Molecular Imaging

The study involved a collaborative effort between physicists from the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems in Dresden, and the Max Born Institute in Berlin, along with partners from institutions in Switzerland, the United States, and Japan. Utilizing the Linac Coherent Light Source at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, researchers were able to observe the rapid reshaping of C60 molecules when subjected to ultrashort and intense X-ray pulses from free electron lasers.

This experiment marks the first time that scientists have been able to directly observe the dynamics of C60 molecules as they respond to laser-induced forces. By analyzing the X-ray diffraction pattern resulting from the interaction between the molecules and a strong infrared (IR) laser pulse, the team was able to derive critical parameters about the molecules’ behavior, including their average radius and the Guinier amplitude. The latter serves as an indicator of the strength of the X-ray scattering signal and is proportional to the square of the effective number of atoms in the molecule.

Insights into Molecular Dynamics

The research revealed significant insights into how C60 molecules expand, deform, and fragment under varying laser intensities. At a low intensity of 1 × 10¹⁴ W/cm², the molecules initially expand before showing signs of fragmentation, as evidenced by a modest decrease in the Guinier amplitude. As the intensity increased to 2 × 10¹⁴ W/cm², a more pronounced reduction in the radius and amplitude was observed, indicating an extensive breakup of the molecules.

At the highest intensity of 8 × 10¹⁴ W/cm², the results showed a rapid expansion and a significant loss of outer valence electrons, suggesting a violent interaction between the laser and the molecules. While initial model calculations from the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems indicated an oscillatory behavior in the response of the molecules, experimental observations did not fully align with these predictions. This discrepancy highlights the ongoing challenges in accurately modeling multi-electron dynamics in intense laser fields.

To improve the theoretical alignment with experimental data, the researchers implemented an additional ultrafast heating mechanism, which led to better consistency with observed results. The findings underscore the necessity for further experimental and theoretical work to deepen the understanding of intense-laser interactions with matter.

As researchers continue to explore the dynamics of larger and more complex molecular systems, the insights gained from studying C60 fullerenes provide a valuable foundation for advancing the control of chemical reactions through laser fields. This research not only enhances the understanding of fundamental quantum processes but also paves the way for potential applications in various fields, including chemistry and materials science.

The study, titled “Visualizing the strong-field induced molecular break-up of C60 via X-ray diffraction,” presents a significant step forward in molecular imaging and understanding how intense light can influence chemical reactions.

For more details, refer to the original publication in Science Advances by Kirsten Schnorr and colleagues, which can be accessed at www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adz1900.