Using lasers to see the shape of molecules

A scientist in a crisp, white lab coat and protective eye goggles sits behind a safety shield, controller in hand. In front of him is a powerful titanium-sapphire laser, aimed at a crystal lens. His thumb gently squeezes the trigger on the controller. There is an imperceivable wisp of gas that is escaping from a nozzle and crossing the laser's path. Before he can even blink his eye the laser is capable of firing more than a trillion times. On the screen a line of alternating pairs of glowing, am...