With the support of the Chemical Measurement and Imaging Program in the Division of Chemistry, Professors Andrew J. Mannix and Felipe Homrich da Jornada of Stanford University will develop new microscopy and quantum simulation tools to directly observe how individual chemical bonds respond to light absorption at the atomic scale. When materials absorb light, they may enter an excited state that alters their structure and electronic properties, influencing performance in technologies such as digital cameras, night vision systems, solar cells, light-emitting diodes, and quantum sensors. However, directly visualizing these structural changes at the level of individual atoms has remained out of reach. This project will advance a new form of photo-induced force microscopy capable of mapping where light is absorbed and how atomic bonds deform in response, enabling direct imaging of excited-state structural changes in molecules and semiconductor materials. By comparing these measurements with advanced quantum simulations, the research will help guide the design of materials that more efficiently capture or emit light. These advances could benefit imaging, sensing, energy, and quantum technologies. The project will also contribute to workforce development by training graduate and undergraduate students in experimental and computational methods, creating instructional materials for chemistry and materials science courses, and participating in public outreach. Methods and results will