X-ray technique captures quantum material response to laser pulses in real time

Researchers developed an X-ray method that observes in real time how quantum materials respond to ultrafast laser pulses. The technique tracks the formation of vacancies — crystal defects that can act as qubits.

• Method tracks material response to ultrafast laser pulses in real time
• Laser knocks atoms out of the crystal, creating vacancy qubits
• Vacancies are treated as building blocks of quantum information, not flaws