In a groundbreaking development destined to revolutionize our understanding of molecular dynamics, an international team of scientists has secured a remarkable €10 million ERC Synergy Grant to capture and control molecular transformations induced by light. Spearheaded by Professor Giulio Cerullo from the Politecnico di Milano’s Department of Physics, along with Caterina Vozzi from Italy’s CNR Institute of Photonics and Nanotechnology, Marco Garavelli from the University of Bologna, and Shaul Mukamel from the University of California, this collaborative initiative promises to illuminate the enigmatic ultrafast chemical reactions fundamental to life and technology.
When photons collide with molecules, they trigger swift chemical modifications occurring within a range so fleeting—millionths of a billionth of a second—that traditional observation methods have struggled to keep pace. These rapid transitions play central roles in vital biological phenomena such as vision, photosynthesis, and DNA repair mechanisms that shield against ultraviolet damage. Despite their ubiquity and importance, the precise choreography of these processes remains largely elusive, veiled by the extraordinary speed at which they unfold.
The pioneering CONCERT project—Capturing and cONtrolling coniCal intErsections in Real Time—aims to shatter these observational barriers. By uniting expertise in physics, chemistry, and laser technology, the consortium targets one of photochemistry’s most enigmatic phenomena: conical intersections. These are singular points within a molecule’s electronic energy landscape where two distinct electronic states intersect, marking critical junctures where the typical deterministic rules of chemistry dissolve, and quantum mechanics reign supreme.
Visualizing a molecule’s journey through conical intersections can be likened to a vehicle navigating a complex roundabout, a nexus where multiple pathways diverge. At these “quantum junctions,” molecular fate is decided—dictating which chemical pathway dominates and which products emerge. Successfully mapping these processes not only unlocks a deeper comprehension of fundamental molecular behavior but also opens avenues to harness light to manipulate photochemical reactions with unprecedented precision.
Achieving this ambitious goal demands pushing the frontiers of laser technology. CONCERT researchers are developing ultrafast laser systems capable of generating light pulses that exist for mere femtoseconds—millionths of a billionth of a second. These pulses will act as temporal cameras, enabling a stroboscopic capture of molecular states in rapid succession, effectively stitching snapshots into an ultrafast molecular motion picture. The process involves initiating the reaction with an initial pulse and subsequent pulses probing the molecule’s evolving geometry at successive intervals, enabling dynamic visualization of the passage through conical intersections.
A critical experimental hub for these investigations will be FERMI, the cutting-edge free-electron laser facility at the Sincrotrone ELETTRA in Trieste. Thanks to its ability to produce ultrashort soft X-ray pulses, FERMI uniquely facilitates direct, real-time observation of molecular transformations at these decisive quantum crossroads. According to Claudio Masciovecchio, Director for time-resolved experimental techniques at Elettra, FERMI’s capabilities represent an unparalleled window into the fleeting molecular phenomena occurring during conical intersections.
Beyond mere observation, the project aspires to direct the outcome of photochemical reactions actively. By engineering customized laser pulses applied exactly at the conical intersection, researchers aim to steer molecules onto desired reaction pathways, effectively dictating chemical products with light. This represents a conceptual shift away from traditional strategies that attempt to control reactions at initiation—a method frequently limited in efficacy. Instead, concentrating manipulation at the pivotal moment where molecular trajectories diverge holds the promise of finely tuned photochemical control.
Such control mechanisms echo a long-held aspiration within chemistry: to employ light not simply as an initiator but as a catalyst that precisely governs reaction outcomes without reliance on additives. Giulio Cerullo emphasizes this transformative potential, stating that while scientists have historically been passive spectators to ultrafast “molecular movies,” CONCERT envisions researchers as active directors employing sophisticated “cameras” and “handles” to capture and influence these events in real-time.
The ramifications of this research cascade far beyond academic interest. Advancing understanding and control of photochemical reactions can propel the development of green chemistry pathways, fostering cleaner, highly selective synthesis processes. Moreover, manipulating molecular behavior with light could drive innovation in materials science, enabling the design of photosensitive compounds and photonic devices inspired by biological mechanisms.
The intersection of quantum physics, ultrafast laser technology, and molecular chemistry that the CONCERT project embodies represents a thrilling new frontier. By blending these disciplines, the team aims to pioneer quantum chemical synthesis governed by the choreography of light—a vision that could redefine chemical manufacturing and molecular engineering paradigms. Caterina Vozzi succinctly captures the ethos of the endeavor: by harnessing quantum mechanics with precision lasers, it is possible to move beyond observation towards the active creation of molecular transformations.
Key scientists behind this initiative bring a wealth of expertise and accolades to the project. Giulio Cerullo, a full professor at Politecnico di Milano, leads experimental ultrafast spectroscopy research, focusing on generating and applying ultra-short light pulses to elucidate dynamic molecular and material processes. He is recognized internationally, including election as a corresponding member of the Accademia dei Lincei and fellowships with the Optical Society and European Physical Society. His recent receipt of the Quantum Electronics Prize underscores his leadership in the field.
Caterina Vozzi directs the CNR Institute of Photonics and Nanotechnology, heading research teams that have significantly advanced attosecond science, molecular spectroscopy, and time-resolved X-ray techniques. Marco Garavelli, a distinguished professor at the University of Bologna, brings computational photochemistry and photobiology expertise, emphasizing realistic modeling of molecular photoreactivity in complex environments. His distinguished career includes numerous funded projects and prestigious awards like the Primo Levi Prize.
Together with Shaul Mukamel of the University of California, the team’s complementary skills integrate theory, computation, and cutting-edge instrumentation to realize CONCERT’s vision—capturing and controlling molecular quantum dynamics at exceptional temporal resolution.
In summary, this cross-disciplinary, multinational collaboration is poised to unlock the intricate quantum behavior of molecules under light exposure, transforming our capacity to visualize and manipulate the ultrafast molecular world. With profound implications for chemistry, biology, and materials science, CONCERT charts a course toward an era where light drives chemical synthesis with quantum precision—ushering in novel technologies and sustainable approaches anchored in the fundamental principles of nature.
Subject of Research: Ultrafast molecular photochemical reactions, conical intersections, and quantum control of chemical transformations through tailored laser pulses.
Article Title: Illuminating Molecular Quantum Pathways: The CONCERT Project’s Quest to Capture and Control Ultrafast Photochemical Reactions
News Publication Date: 06 November 2025
Web References: https://www.polimi.it (Politecnico di Milano), https://www.elettra.trieste.it (Sincrotrone ELETTRA)
References: ERC Synergy Grant CONCERT project (Capturing and cONtrolling coniCal intErsections in Real Time)
Image Credits: Not provided
Keywords
Laser light, ultrafast spectroscopy, conical intersections, quantum chemistry, photochemical control, femtosecond laser pulses, molecular dynamics, free-electron laser, FERMI, quantum photochemistry
