IBM captured the world's first single-molecule image

According to the August 29 news from the British media, scientists at Zurich Laboratories, IBM took advantage of the AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) to capture the first single molecule image. world.

Scientists say the single pentacene molecule is only 1 / million of a grain of sand. Through this study, scientists hope to bring nanometer technology to a new development and can produce super-sized and super-fast processing chips.

Pentacene is often used to make organic transistors and is often used in solar batteries. Under the support of atomic force microscopy, pentacene monomers can be clearly seen composed of 22 Carbon atoms and 14 Hydrogen atoms.

Gerhard Meyer, an IBM scientist who joined the research project, said: ' Doctors used X-rays to photograph the organs and bone systems of the human body. Meanwhile we take advantage of atomic force microscopy to capture the structure of a single atom. '

In addition to using the most advanced atomic force microscope, this study must be conducted in a vacuum environment of 268 ^° C. The facility must do so so that air molecules do not affect the main level. measuring measurement and image quality.

Gerhard Meyer also said: ' The goal we study the project is to create a breakthrough in molecular electronics. This will make the microprocessor chip super small, but the speed is comparable to the supercomputer. It's even possible to make super small processor chips that can be placed on the tip of a needle . '