The 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics spotlights the techniques to generate attosecond light pulses. The generation of attosecond pulses heralds a new era in understanding electron dynamics. This perspective traces the evolution of ultrafast science

from early microwave electronics to the recent breakthroughs in attosecond pulse generation and measurement. Key milestones

such as high harmonic generation

the RABBITT method

attosecond streaking camera

etc

illuminate our journey toward capturing the transient electron motions in atoms. Recent discoveries

including zeptosecond delays in H2 single-photon double ionization and the potential of attosecond “electron” pulses despite challenges

etc.

hint at an exciting future for ultrafast studies.