The first shot of the atom

Scientists first photographed the shadow of a single atom using ultra-high resolution microscope technology.

A team of scientists from the Center for Quantum Kinetic Dynamics - Griffith University (Australia) has for the first time photographed the shadow of a single atom. This is the smallest ball of an object ever photographed.

'We have reached the highest limit of microscopic technology. You can not see anything smaller than an atom under ordinary light , "said Dr. Dave Kielpinski, head of research, on the Daily Mail.

Dr. Dave Kielpinski and his colleagues isolated the individual ions of Ytebi by electric energy. They then use special-frequency light to project directly onto the atomic ions.

Under this light, the shadow of the atom is printed on a microscope device. Then, scientists can use digital cameras to photograph the shadow of an atom through a microscope. To achieve this success, the team worked hard for five years.

"By using an ultra-high resolution microscope, we can focus the image to a smaller area than ever before, to produce a clearer image that makes it easier to see. However, if we change only 1/1 of a billion light frequencies on an atom, we will never see the shadow of it , "said Professor Dave Kielpinski.

Dr Erik Streed, a member of the team, said: "Such experiments help us to confirm our understanding of atomic physics and can be used in quantum computing."

In addition, the study could help scientists estimate the amount of light needed when observing small and vulnerable samples such as cells or DNA to avoid damaging these samples.