Capture tiny objects with a new generation microscope

A microscope using a spiral electron beam will work in a normal way, except that the first electron beam must pass through a holographic image that works to make the beam twist. a spiral, according to McMorran. A spiral electron beam with even better resolution than a straight electron beam.

Image for illustrative purposes. (Internet source)

Currently, the use of new generation microscopes in modern laboratories, is a legitimate requirement.

Physicists have created a kind of spiral electron beam used to capture images of atoms, biological tissue and tiny parts of computers, new research results are published in journals. Science magazine, issue January 14, 2011.

Although the spiral electron beams have not been integrated into the microscope widely mentioned above, but in the near future, the use of spiral electron beams to produce sharp images more, according to Ben McMorran, a physicist, and head of this research, working at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, Md, USA. Moreover, these electron beams, can grab atoms to manipulate them, according to other researchers.

The electrons, which have the same characteristics as the waves of tiny particles, have much smaller wavelengths than the light that the human eye can see. microscopic, new generation electron microscopes can help researchers learn very small objects like atoms.

Modern types of electron microscopes capture images of very small objects by shooting an electron beam to a target and recording the electron diffusion. A microscope using a spiral electron beam will work in a normal way, except that the first electron beam must pass through a holographic image that works to make the beam twist. a spiral, according to McMorran. A spiral electron beam with even better resolution than a straight electron beam.

Holograms, like colorful holograms on credit cards, are formed when light is bounced off or through an engraved surface. In this case, 'holograms' are a thin layer of silicon nitride that McMorran's team etched, with lines a few nanometers apart.

The electron beams are diffracted when it passes through a holographic image, like the case of light being separated into colors when passing through a prism. But instead of seeing beautiful colors emanating from a corner, the team recorded spiral electron beams from holograms. The spiral beams of electrons can then focus on one target, scattering the rays as a way of conveying information about the object.

To improve an electron microscope into a spiral microscope, simply put a thin holographic slide into a pre-existing slot, according to mechanical engineer Rodney Herring, who works at Dai. Study in Victoria, Canada.

One of the interesting applications is the use of beams to get single atoms, according to Herring. Electrons in a pair of electron beams spiral with electrons in the atom of the material, and scientists control spiral electron microscopy through the use of its lens like a joystick. to move the spiral electron beam, around a captive atom.

' Now we have the tools to manipulate atoms and electrons ,' says Herring.

In September 2010, a group of Belgian researchers, led by material scientist Jo Verbeeck, working at the University of Antwerp announced that they had created a spiral electron beam, using Full-image techniques.

But McMorran said the spiral electron beam produced by his team has 25 times more twists, meaning it has 25 times the potential for productivity, with 25 times better resolution.

McMorran is working to create beams with more twists. The more spiral beams, the more the beam is subjected to rotation angles with greater rotation momentum. But so far, spiral electron beams still have not enough rotational impulse to separate particles from a surface, according to Verbeeck.

' Although this will lead to a useful application, when manipulating particles or atoms still need to be verified ,' according to Verbeeck.