Sciencemadness Discussion Board

single atoms orbitals imaged

phlogiston - 13-6-2013 at 04:36

This week, a group from the AMOLF institute (Netherlands) managed to find a technique to image the electrons whizzing around in the orbitals of a single atom.

Amazing.

http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2013/may/23/quantum...

http://prl.aps.org/abstract/PRL/v110/i21/e213001


However, for years I have been captivated by an image of a single atom in my physics book (Ohanian, 'physics'. 2nd edition I think). All I could find that it was produced using electron holography. It also showed the suggestion of electronic structure.

Anyone remember that image as well? I never was able to track the origin of it down.

neptunium - 13-6-2013 at 08:15

i remember when the first tunnel microscope could pick up individual gold atoms and rearrange them in the shape
of a logo or a stick figure..

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSrOTtj...

AndersHoveland - 18-6-2013 at 04:45

It is possible to measure a quantum state without affecting it. Long but interesting explanation:
http://physics.illinois.edu/people/kwiat/interaction-free-me...

Endimion17 - 18-6-2013 at 09:08

Quote: Originally posted by neptunium  
i remember when the first tunnel microscope could pick up individual gold atoms and rearrange them in the shape
of a logo or a stick figure..

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSrOTtj...


Then I presume you've seen this animation. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSCX78-8-q0