link (http://pubs.acs.org/cen/news/86/i29/8629notw1.html)
We can now look at individual atoms. Hydrogen atoms at that. Sure, it looks like this:
(http://pubs.acs.org/cen/_img/86/i29/8629notw1_LightTEMcxd_opt.gif)
But how cool is it that what is essentially a proton can now be viewed?
We've been able to look at individual atoms for a long time now, just not with this type of microscope. You can build an STM with atomic resolution (though for somewhat bigger atoms) for less than $100. http://www.geocities.com/spm_stm/Project.html
That said, this is a great achievement. STMs and AFMs have limitations that TEMs don't, so the extra resolution should be a good thing.
Just a note that a hydrogen atom is a lot bigger than a proton, I guess something like 100000 times bigger in terms of "classical" radius.
Still neat though.
Quote from: nurbldoff on August 15, 2008, 09:29:47 PM
Just a note that a hydrogen atom is a lot bigger than a proton, I guess something like 100000 times bigger in terms of "classical" radius.
Still neat though.
Wouldn't it depend on if the hydrogen atom in question has a charge? (I'm excluding deuterium for no good reason too)
Well, a positive Hydrogen ion is just a proton. If there aren't any electrons around there is little point in calling it an atom.
Anyway, I was just being an egghead.